(HT)
Petrol consumption spiked by about 10% in the first half of May as summer season travel led to a surge in demand for the fuel, according to the provisional sales data of state-owned fuel retailers.
Petrol consumption rose to 1.5 million tonnes during May 1-15 from 1.37 million tonnes sales a year back.
Its demand was up by 10.5% over consumption of 1.36 million tonnes in May 1-15, 2023 and nearly 46% higher than the Covid-marred first fortnight of May 2021.
Diesel sales were up 2% to 3.36 million tonnes, the data of three state-owned fuel retailers, who control about 90% of the fuel market, showed.
The consumption of India’s most used fuel has rebounded since last month.
In contrast, Diesel, the lifeline of transport and rural agri-economy, saw just 2% growth in demand in fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
In April, diesel consumption rose to 8.23 million tonnes, which is up by nearly 4%.
This is due to demand in the year-ago period. During May 1-15, diesel sales were 2% higher than the 3.29 million tonne consumption in the same period last year.
It was 1.3% higher than May 1-15, 2023 and 16% more than the Covid-marred first fortnight of May 2021.
Diesel sales were up 5.2% when compared to 3.19 million tonne consumed in the first half of April 2025.
The onset of summer triggers rural demand for irrigation as well as for air-conditioners in urban areas.
Industry officials said that diesel had hit a slow lane in the last few months, leading to speculations about its future.
The growth since April was on the back of rise in consumption for electioneering a year back.
Meanwhile, Jet fuel (ATF) consumption growth had slowed down to 1.1% to 3,27,900 tonnes in May 1-15.
This is due to flight restrictions over some parts of northern and western India due to tensions with Pakistan dented demand.
ATF sales were 8.6% higher than consumption in May 1-15, 2023 and 11% more than first half of May 2021.
Month-on-month, jet fuel consumption was down by 5.8% when compared with the 3,48,100 tonnes of April 1-15.
LPG continued to be in the fast lane with 10.4% growth to 1.34 million tonnes in the first fortnight of May, driven by Ujjawala connections.
Since 2019, volumes equal to almost 5 months have been added in domestic cooking gas consumption.
Cooking gas sales were 10% higher than the 1.22 million tonne consumption of May 1-15, 2023 and 33% more than the 1.01 million tonnes in the first half of May 2021.
LPG sales were up 7.3% when compared with the 1.25 million tonnes of April 1-15.
