State-run oil marketing companies on Friday raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre each, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to cut down on fuel consumption and reduce imports to help conserve foreign exchange.
The latest revision pushed petrol prices in Delhi from Rs 94.77 per litre to Rs 97.77 per litre. Diesel prices in the national capital also went up from RS 87.67 per litre to Rs 90.67 per litre.
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The hike comes amid growing concerns over India's import bill, especially for crude oil and precious metals.
Different rates across cities
Fuel prices saw varying increases across major cities because of differences in local taxes and levies.
In Kolkata, petrol prices rose by Rs 3.29 per litre to Rs 108.74. Mumbai recorded an increase of Rs 3.14, taking the petrol price to Rs 106.68 per litre. In Chennai, petrol became costlier by Rs 2.83 and is now priced at Rs 103.67 per litre, according to a company executive.
Diesel prices also moved up sharply. In Kolkata, regular diesel now costs Rs 95.13 per litre after a hike of Rs 3.11. Mumbai saw a similar increase, with diesel prices reaching Rs 93.14 per litre. In Chennai, diesel prices climbed by Rs 2.86 to Rs 95.25 per litre.
People queue up at a petrol pump for fuel due to a shortage of fuel, in Patna, on Thursday. File image/ANI Government had hinted at increase
Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier indicated that a revision in fuel prices could be on the cards.
Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event in the national capital on Tuesday, Puri said the government would eventually have to take a call on increasing the prices of petroleum products such as petrol and diesel.
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His remarks followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal on Sunday urging people to conserve both energy and foreign exchange, a message he reiterated on Monday.
