CNG, or compressed natural gas, will cost Rs 4.50/kg more in Delhi from midnight. In Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad it will be costlier by Rs 5.15 per kg.

The price of piped natural gas, or PNG, has also been hiked. Indraprastha Gas, which is the sole supplier of CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to households in the national capital region (NCR), attributed the steep hike to a reduction in availability of subsidised gas.

"There has been a reduction in allocation of administered price mechanism (APM) gas to us, which is forcing us to source more quantity of market priced imported R-LNG, whose prices are currently on an upswing," Indraprastha Gas said in a statement.

The piped natural gas price to the households in Delhi has been revised higher from Rs 27.50 per scm (standard cubic metre) to Rs 29.50 per scm, up to consumption of 30 scm in two months. Beyond consumption of 30 scm in two months, the applicable rate in Delhi would be Rs 52 per scm.

In Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad, the price of piped natural gas would be Rs 31 per scm up to consumption of 30 scm in two months. The current price is Rs 29 per scm. Beyond consumption of 30 scm in two months, the rate applicable in these cities would be Rs 54 per scm.