Staff Reporter

The skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel are burning hole in the pockets of common man in the State capital. Petrol is being sold at Rs 118.14 per litre and diesel at Rs 101.16 per litre, but now the prices of CNG, which is considered cheap, are also increasing rapidly. In the last five months, the price of CNG has gone up from Rs 70 to Rs 83 per kg, that is, the rate has increased by about 19 per cent. This is causing a double whammy on the customers, because CNG kits were installed by spending Rs 35,000 to 55,000 due to cheap CNG and high average. Now due to the increase in the rate, it will be difficult to meet the cost of a CNG kit. On the other hand, auto drivers have also increased the fare due to expensive CNG. People are paying more fare even after sitting in an auto fitted with a CNG kit. Due to CNG, the fare per km of auto which was reduced by 40 per cent, has now increased back to the old condition.

For example, the auto drivers who charged Rs 150 to 200 from Bhopal Railway Station to Arera Colony two months ago are now charging Rs 250 to 300. The problem is that one can’t even complain about this fare control. Significantly, as many as 2,500 CNG autos, and 6,500 CNG motor cars are plying on the roads in the city.