Diwali Nears, CNG Hits ₹98.47: Ahmedabad’s Rickshaw Drivers Ask, ‘How Do We Feed Our Families?’

Ahmedabad’s auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers are facing fresh financial pressure ahead of Diwali after CNG prices surged by ₹4.45 per kg in a single day, taking the rate from ₹94.02 to ₹98.47 per kg and bringing it close to the ₹100 mark.

The latest increase has triggered anger among drivers who depend on daily earnings to pay for fuel and run their households. With festive expenses mounting, drivers say repeated price hikes are leaving them with little money for food, household necessities and their children’s Diwali celebrations.

CNG Prices Rise Again After August Hike

The latest increase follows a ₹3.75-per-kg hike in August. According to the figures cited by drivers, CNG prices have risen by approximately ₹20 in phased increases during the current year, putting further pressure on vehicle owners who rely on the fuel for their livelihoods.

The timing of the latest hike, just before Diwali, has added to concerns among ordinary families, auto-rickshaw operators and taxi drivers already struggling to manage rising expenses.

‘My Entire Daily Earnings Go Towards Fuel’

Rickshaw drivers say the rising cost of CNG is eating into their daily income, leaving them with little to meet household expenses.

Chhanabhai Nayak, an auto-rickshaw driver, said the price increases had made it difficult to provide even basic necessities for his family.

“CNG prices have risen so much that there is nothing left for food. My entire daily earnings go towards fuel. If my children ask for firecrackers, sweets or new clothes for Diwali, how am I supposed to provide them?” he said.

Another driver, Jayantibhai Thakor, said frequent price increases by companies were making the business increasingly difficult.

“Companies keep raising prices arbitrarily and frequently. If we try to increase the fare, passengers refuse to ride. We demand that instead of raising fares, the price of gas should be reduced,” he said.

Drivers Say Fare Hikes Are Not A Practical Solution

Leaders of the Ahmedabad Rickshaw Drivers’ Unity Union said drivers largely depend on daily earnings and have little financial cushion to absorb repeated increases in fuel costs.

They also pointed to the difficulty of managing small change at fuel stations, saying drivers sometimes end up paying ₹100 even when the amount required is lower.

With passengers unwilling to accept higher fares, drivers say they have limited options to recover the additional expense.

Delegation To Meet Transport Commissioner On Monday

Rickshaw and taxi drivers gathered to submit a representation to the Transport Commissioner, demanding that the recent price hikes be rolled back or that the government announce an appropriate subsidy.

However, the delegation could not meet the Transport Commissioner. The drivers are now scheduled to meet the official on Monday to press for immediate relief ahead of the festive season.

The drivers have called for intervention to ease the burden of rising fuel costs on those whose livelihoods depend on daily travel.