Petrol, diesel prices hit new highs; third in 3 days
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Commuters continue to bear the brunt of soaring petrol and diesel prices with costs hitting a new high today. According to reports, petrol price in Delhi crossed Rs 77 per litre for the first time ever today while in Mumbai, the petrol price amounted to 1 paise short of Rs 85 per litre.
Petrol costs on Wednesday morning were registered at Rs 77.17 a litre in Delhi, Rs 84.99 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 79.83 in Kolkata, and Rs 80.11 per litre in Chennai. Diesel prices stood at Rs 68.34 a litre, Rs 72.76 a litre, Rs 70.89 a litre and Rs. 72.14 a litre respectively.
This is the third record high in three days. Petrol was selling at Rs 76.87 a litre on Tuesday, and at Rs 76.57 and 76.24 on Monday and Sunday respectively.
Petrol prices in Delhi at Rs 77.17/litre and Mumbai at Rs 84.99/litre, Diesel prices at Rs 68.34/litre in Delhi and Rs 72.76/litre in Mumbai.
— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2018
Petrol and diesel price hike spilt into its tenth day on Tuesday in some of the major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
In most cases, the rise in petrol prices ranged between 14-34 paise a litre and 21-31 paise a litre for diesel.
The spike in global crude oil prices fuelled by US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal is seen as the biggest perpetrators of escalating oil prices in countries across the globe.
Political and economic turmoil in Venezuela, a major petroleum exporting country, could also be put to blame.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram slammed the Modi government for the ongoing rise in petrol and diesel prices. Chidambaram claimed that the rates can easily be reduced by Rs 25 per litre.
(With inputs from agencies)