Rising fuel price angers motorists

The rise in the price of fuel has left motorists angry. A litre of petrol was sold at `87.06 and a litre of diesel cost `80.60 on Tuesday. The steep rise in fuel prices have been registered during the last seven days.

According to Rajiv Amaram, joint secretary, Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers, “The price has been increasing as the rate of consumption has risen proportionately. During the lockdown, there were very few vehicles moving about. So, fuel consumption was low. Now, there are more vehicles on the road and consumption has risen. This is the primary reason for the fuel price rise.”

Another reason he attributed to the rise in prices is the new BS6 fuel norms.

“Providing such fuel would require modification of infrastructure. The price of the fuel being transported from the refinery, cost of ethanol and other criteria could prove detrimental for prices,” he said.

For example if the refinery for BS6 is located away from the city, then the price of transporting the fuel would be higher, he justified. However, customers are unable to digest the continuous rise in prices. “The prices of petrol and diesel are rising faster than our spending capabilities. In these times, which is rife with layoffs and pay cuts, rising prices of fuel is not justified,” said V. Unnikrishnan, a content writer and resident of Ameerpet.

Similarly even B. Adreesh of Shamirpet noted that the prices have been on a steady rise for the last five or six days.