Pune: People fume over fuel price hike

Pune: On one side, crude oil prices have fallen at historically low levels, fuel price hike in Pune and other cities have left citizens baffled and fuming. After the consecutive eighth-day hike in fuel prices, petrol in Pune city is being sold at Rs 82.43. The All India Petrol Dealers Association, however, claimed that prices would remain stable from Monday (June 15).

During the lockdown, all roads, marketplaces, offices in the city were closed. Only essential services were allowed and hence the demand for fuel had dropped. Citizens had followed the lockdown rules and didn't take out their vehicles for non-essential purposes. The petrol rate for 46 days of April and May month was at Rs 76.07 per litre while diesel was at Rs 64.97 per litre, but commuters could not take advantage of the lower rates in these days. Now after the lockdown relaxations came into effect, the vehicular traffic on roads has increased.

Ali Daruwala, Spokesperson for All India Petrol Dealers Association said, "In the international market, the dollar has strengthened against the rupee and hence crude oil prices have reached 45 dollars per barrel. Hence, the fuel prices were hiked in the last eight days. But now with the crude oil production increased over the last few days, prices in India will remain stable Monday onward. However, the reduction in fuel rates in the near future is not possible."

DAILY FUEL SALE AT 22 LAKH LITRES

In normal days, about 30 lakh litre of fuel sale happens in Pune city. During the lockdown period, it came down to 3 lakh litre. After lockdown relaxations came into effect, the sale of petrol and diesel went up. Now, every day about 20 to 22 lakh litres of fuel sale is happening, said Ali Daruwala.

RATES FROM LAST 7 DAYS

June 7

Petrol: 78.67

Diesel: 67.55

June 8

Petrol: 79.25

Diesel: 68.11

June 9

Petrol: 79.77

Diesel: 68.65

June 10

Petrol: 80.15

Diesel: 69.07

June 11

Petrol: 80.73

Diesel: 69.62

June 12

Petrol: 81.27

Diesel: 70.17

June 13

Petrol: 81.84

Diesel: 70.71

June 14

Petrol: 82.43

Diesel: 71.31