Fuel and CNG price hike increases commuting costs in Ahmedabad

Commuting in Ahmedabad has become expensive after the recent rise in petrol, diesel, and CNG prices. The fuel price increase, caused by the current situation in Western Asia, is directly affecting people who use public transport every day.

Rickshaw fares in the city have gone up as CNG prices continue to rise. At the start of the year, CNG was around ₹82 per kilogram, but after several price hikes, drivers are now spending much more on fuel. Because of this, travel by auto-rickshaw has become around 1% to 20% costlier. Online taxi companies have also increased their fares by around ₹10 per ride.

The Auto Rickshaw Drivers Welfare Association stated that official rickshaw fares have not been changed since 2022. At the same time, the prices of CNG, spare parts, insurance, parking, and fitness charges have increased a lot. The association said that nearly two lakh rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad are struggling to manage their daily expenses. They are now planning to request the government to increase fares officially.

The fare hike has also affected passengers, especially salaried employees, students, and middle-class families. A trip that earlier cost around ₹30 is now costing nearly ₹35. Even short-distance travel has become more expensive, putting pressure on monthly budgets. Despite the higher costs, many commuters have no alternative option for daily transport.