Petrol crosses ₹102, diesel at ₹95.20 in Delhi after fourth hike in two weeks
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Petrol prices in Delhi crossed the ₹102 mark on Monday, 25 May, after state-owned oil marketing companies announced the fourth fuel price hike in a fortnight, raising petrol by ₹2.61 per litre and diesel by ₹2.71 per litre. Petrol now stands at ₹102.12 per litre, up from ₹99.51, while diesel has climbed to ₹95.20 per litre from ₹92.49.
Pace of the Hikes
The latest revision comes just two days after a Saturday increase that added ₹0.87 per litre to petrol and ₹0.91 per litre to diesel. Before that, on 16 May, a sharper round pushed petrol and diesel rates up by approximately ₹3 per litre in several cities. Four consecutive upward revisions in 14 days mark one of the most sustained retail fuel adjustment cycles in recent memory.
What Is Driving the Increases
Sustained pressure from rising global crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to strain international energy markets, feeding through to domestic costs. Government officials maintain that the revisions are necessary to offset rising import costs and preserve stability in fuel supplies amid volatile global crude benchmarks. Notably, state-run oil marketing companies had absorbed losses for an extended period before passing costs on to consumers — a pattern that compresses relief periods but sharpens the impact when adjustments arrive.
Government Assurance on Supply
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has reassured the public that India's petrol and diesel supplies remain stable nationwide. In an official statement, the ministry urged citizens to avoid panic buying or unnecessary crowding at fuel stations, noting that any temporary pressure at select retail outlets is being addressed through continuous monitoring and coordinated distribution by oil marketing companies. The ministry also stressed that responsible consumption and public cooperation are essential during this period of elevated global uncertainty.
Economic and Household Impact
Experts have warned that back-to-back fuel hikes carry a cascading effect on transportation and logistics costs, which can translate into broader inflationary pressure on essential goods and services. Daily commuters, transport operators, and businesses are already contending with rising operational expenses. Urban centres heavily dependent on road transport are expected to feel the strain most acutely, with freight costs likely to nudge consumer prices upward in the weeks ahead.
What to Watch Next
All eyes are now on global crude benchmarks and any further West Asia developments that could sustain upward pressure on import costs. Should crude prices stabilise, oil marketing companies may pause the revision cycle; a fresh spike, however, could push Delhi petrol toward the ₹105 threshold before the end of June.