Government Increases Petrol and Diesel Prices by ₹3 per Litre, Sparking Outrage from Congress

Transport operators in West Bengal have reported that the recent fuel price hike will result in an approximate 3% increase in overall freight costs, prompting appeals to the government for regulatory measures to prevent excessive price increases by traders. Kolkata has experienced the most significant fuel price increase among metro cities, with petrol rising by ₹3.29 to ₹108.74 per litre and diesel by ₹3.11 to ₹95.13 per litre. Comparatively, prices in Delhi now stand at ₹97.77 per litre for petrol and ₹90.67 for diesel, while in Mumbai, petrol costs ₹106.68 and diesel is priced at ₹93.14. Chennai follows closely with petrol at ₹103.67 and diesel at ₹95.25.

The All India Transporters’ Welfare Association (AITWA) highlighted that the hike was anticipated due to the ongoing geopolitical climate, with joint secretary Sunil Agarwal indicating that the rise would have a fractional impact on overall transport costs. However, he underscored the importance of governmental oversight to ensure that traders do not capitalize on the fuel price increase by raising product prices disproportionately. This concern is particularly relevant in the context of inflationary pressures affecting the economy.

With fuel price variations influenced by state-specific value-added tax rates, regional disparities in transportation costs may emerge, further complicating the economic landscape for both transport operators and consumers. The government’s response to the transport sector’s concerns will be pivotal in maintaining market stability, ensuring fairness in pricing, and mitigating the potential for adverse economic repercussions stemming from the fuel price hike.