CNG Prices Hiked Again in Delhi-NCR, Cross ₹80/kg Mark in Capital

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices were increased by another ₹1 per kg from Saturday, May 17, 2026, taking the total rise to ₹3 per kg in just two days across the Delhi-NCR region. In the national capital, the price of the green fuel now stands at ₹80.09 per kg.

This marks the second successive upward revision in as many days. On Friday, May 16, city gas distributors had already raised rates by ₹2 per kg, reflecting pressure from high global crude oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Regional Price Variation

In neighbouring areas, the impact is sharper. CNG now costs ₹88.70 per kg in Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida. Gurugram residents will pay ₹85.12 per kg. The differential pricing reflects varying taxes and distribution costs across the NCR districts.

Piped Natural Gas (PNG) prices, however, have been left unchanged. In Delhi, domestic PNG continues to be retailed at ₹49.59 per SCM, offering some relief to households using it for cooking.

Link to Global Energy Pressures

The back-to-back hikes come against the backdrop of crude oil prices remaining elevated above $100 per barrel for an extended period. The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has kept global energy markets on edge, contributing to higher input costs for natural gas as well.

Earlier this week, the central government adjusted export duties in response to domestic fuel market dynamics. It imposed a windfall tax of ₹3 per litre on petrol exports while reducing taxes on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) exports to encourage greater domestic availability.

Impact on Daily Commuters

For the common man in Delhi-NCR, the latest increase adds to the burden already felt from recent petrol and diesel price revisions. Auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi operators, and private vehicle owners who shifted to CNG for its relatively lower cost and cleaner emissions now face higher running expenses.

"Many of us switched to CNG thinking it would save money in the long run. Now with these frequent hikes, the benefit is eroding," said Ramesh Kumar, a Delhi-based cab driver, echoing the sentiment of thousands of daily commuters.

Transport experts note that Delhi-NCR has one of the largest CNG vehicle fleets in the country, promoted aggressively over the years to combat air pollution. Any sustained rise in CNG prices could influence commuting patterns and put pressure on public transport systems.

Why Prices Are Rising

City gas distribution companies attribute the revision primarily to higher wholesale costs of natural gas linked to international benchmarks. Unlike petrol and diesel, CNG pricing in India is largely market-determined with periodic adjustments by distributors such as Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) in the capital region.

The current round of increases is the latest in a series of adjustments seen this year as energy markets remain volatile.

Consumers Seek Alternatives

With CNG now costing over ₹80 per kg in Delhi, some vehicle owners are exploring options like electric vehicles or carpooling. However, for two-wheeler and many three-wheeler users, viable alternatives remain limited in the short term.

The Delhi government and NCR authorities have not issued any immediate statement on possible relief measures or subsidies for the affected segments. Officials indicated that the price adjustments are purely commercial decisions by the gas suppliers.

Outlook

Further revisions cannot be ruled out if global crude and gas prices continue their upward trajectory. Industry watchers will closely monitor developments in West Asia and the response of major oil-producing nations in the coming weeks.

For now, residents of Delhi-NCR are bracing for the added monthly fuel expense as they navigate another round of increase in one of the most commonly used automotive fuels in the region.

NIA Files 7,500-Page Chargesheet in Red Fort Car Blast Case, Names 10 Accused

Probe agency says deceased mastermind Dr Umer Un Nabi led Al-Qaida-linked module that plotted to overthrow government

The National Investigation Agency has submitted a massive 7,500-page chargesheet before a special court in connection with the Red Fort car bomb explosion that claimed 11 lives in the national capital last November. Ten individuals have been named as accused, including a former medical professor who died in the blast itself.

Mastermind Never Made It to Court

Dr Umer Un Nabi, described by investigators as the key conspirator, was killed during the 10 November 2025 attack. A former assistant professor of medicine at Al-Falah University, he was among several radicalised medical professionals allegedly involved in plotting what the agency calls "Operation Heavenly Hind".

The other nine accused include Aamir Rashid Mir, Jasir Bilal Wani, Dr Muzamil Shakeel, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed, Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay, Soyab, Dr Bilal Naseer Malla and Yasir Ahmad Dar.

Terror Outfit Link Established

According to the agency, all accused were associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an offshoot of Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent. The chargesheet was filed at Patiala House Courts under multiple legal provisions including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Sources familiar with the matter said investigators worked extensively to establish the group's operational network across half a dozen states.

Probe Spanned Six States

The investigation covered Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and the Delhi-NCR region. The case file contains 588 witness statements, more than 395 documents and over 200 material exhibits.

Officials said the accused had regrouped in Srinagar back in 2022 after failing to reach Afghanistan via Turkey. It was at this meeting that they allegedly revived the outfit under the name "AGuH Interim".

Conspiracy to Overthrow Government

The NIA has alleged that the conspiracy was aimed at removing India's democratically elected government and imposing Sharia rule. Investigators claim the group actively recruited members, spread extremist ideology and stockpiled weapons.

What has alarmed security agencies is the level of technical sophistication. The explosive used in the attack was triacetone triperoxide, a highly volatile substance that the accused allegedly manufactured after procuring precursor chemicals and conducting repeated experiments.

Weapons and Drone Tests

The agency further claimed the group procured prohibited weapons including an AK-47 rifle, a Krinkov rifle and country-made pistols. Perhaps more concerning, they allegedly experimented with rocket-mounted and drone-borne improvised explosive devices intended for strikes on security installations in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere.

Specialised laboratory equipment, including MMO anodes, electric circuits and switches, was purchased through both online and offline sources, investigators said.

So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the case. The NIA said efforts are continuing to locate additional suspects whose alleged roles emerged during the investigation.