CNG price in the national capital and adjoining towns has been hiked on Friday by a steep Rs 2.90 per kg, the third increase this year.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) in Delhi will cost Rs 38.35 per kg with effect from midnight tonight, Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the sole retailer of CNG and piped natural gas in the national capital, said in a press statement in New Delhi on Friday.

Earlier the price was increased by Rs 1.75 per kg on 1st January and by Rs 1.90 per kg later on 6th March.

IGL, which hiked price of CNG sold to automobiles in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad by Rs 3.30 per kg to Rs 43.10 per kg, said the increase was necessitated because of fall in value of rupee and rise in cost of imported gas.

The hike had been necessitated because IGL is buying more of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) after supplies from Reliance Industries’ KG-D6 gas fields dried up.

Imported fuel costs at least three times more than USD 4.20 per million British thermal unit rate fixed for domestic gas.