Mumbai: The price of petrol in Mumbai touched Rs 86.25 a litre on Sunday morning. This is not only a new high for the city—the last recorded all-time high was Rs 86.24 on May 29—but also the steepest in any of the other major metro cities. Diesel, too, touched a new high of Rs 75.12 a litre here, leaving transporters and motorists fuming. Sources said fuel prices will further rise to Rs 86.56 and Rs 75.54 on Monday.
Uday Lodh of the Federation of All-Maharashtra Petrol Dealers’ Association said, “Sources in oil marketing companies said there are indications that petrol and diesel prices will continue to rise depending on fluctuations in international crude oil prices and other factors such as the falling rate of rupee vis-a-vis the dollar. The government must waive excise duty, and reduce other taxes and fuel cess.”
The price hikes will pinch motorists, already frustrated with low mileage and extra fuel consumption due to road congestion, and vehicle speeds dropping to 10kmph on express highways during peak hours.
Transporters, burdened with diesel price hikes for a fortnight, have threatened to agitate if there is no control or reduction in rates.
