It is a mixed picture at fuel stations across the country today. State-run oil marketing companies have nudged petrol and diesel prices higher in some cities, while motorists in a few other places have got a small break. What makes the move interesting is its timing: it comes even as crude oil in the international market is cooling off, with Brent hovering near $87 a barrel.
Where Prices Rose and Where They Fell
In Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) in Uttar Pradesh, petrol climbed 22 paise to reach 101.92 rupees a litre, while diesel rose 21 paise to 95.37 rupees a litre. In contrast, drivers in Gurugram, the Haryana capital, got some relief — petrol there became cheaper by 16 paise to 102.77 rupees a litre, and diesel slipped 14 paise to 95.44 rupees a litre.
Patna, the capital of Bihar, saw both fuels turn dearer. Petrol went up 11 paise to 113.65 rupees a litre, and diesel rose 14 paise to settle at 99.36 rupees a litre.
No Change Across the Four Metros
The four big metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata — saw oil companies leave rates untouched today. Here is where prices currently stand:
- Delhi: petrol 102.12 rupees and diesel 95.20 rupees a litre
- Mumbai: petrol 111.18 rupees and diesel 97.83 rupees a litre
- Chennai: petrol 108.01 rupees and diesel 99.78 rupees a litre
- Kolkata: petrol 113.47 rupees and diesel 99.82 rupees a litre
- Gurugram: petrol 102.77 rupees and diesel 95.44 rupees a litre
- Noida: petrol 101.92 rupees and diesel 95.37 rupees a litre
- Patna: petrol 113.65 rupees and diesel 99.36 rupees a litre
Crude Keeps Sliding
The international crude market remains soft for now. Over the past 24 hours, Brent crude has dropped by roughly $2 to 87.33 dollars a barrel. The US benchmark WTI has also slipped and is now trading at 84.88 dollars a barrel. Even so, this fall in crude does not translate into an identical or immediate change in retail prices across every Indian city.
Fresh Rates Set at 6 AM Daily
Retail petrol and diesel prices are reviewed every day in the country. The new rates are issued each morning at 6 AM and take effect from that very moment. One point worth noting is that the figure you see at the pump is far above the base price of crude. Once excise duty, dealer commission, VAT and other levies are added on, the cost of fuel nearly doubles compared with its base price. That is precisely why petrol and diesel end up looking so expensive for the consumer.
