Over one lakh autorickshaw drivers in the city are protesting against a hike of Rs 3.50 per kg in CNG prices with effect from February 2. CNG is now available for Rs 29 per kg as against the earlier price of Rs 25.50 per kg.

Ashok Punjabi, convenor of GADAC, said, "This is a steep hike of 14 percent. Had it been a reasonable hike of up to 5 per cent then we would have accepted it. The government should step in to protect the interest of auto drivers. We want CNG to be declared as an essential commodity and a pricing committee be formed for its regulation. The gas companies cannot go about price hike in an arbitrary manner."

Another demand of the auto drivers is that the price hike in the future should be shared by both the government and gas distribution companies.