At Rs 111.35, Kolkata records highest ever fuel price on Thursday and Friday – Times of India

The previous record was Rs 110. 5 in November 3, 2021 and March 30 this year. (Representative image)

KOLKATA: For the first time in eight days, fuel prices in Kolkata weren’t hiked on Friday. But even then, petrol was sold at an all-time high price in Kolkata — Rs 111. 35 per litre — on Thursday and Friday.
The previous record was Rs 110. 5 in November 3, 2021 and March 30 this year. Several motorists, who had started using their own vehicles following the price revision by the government late last year, are again planning to shift their vehicles back to the garages.
“After last year’s record run of petrol, I had stopped driving my car. Those were still work-from-home days and I could happily let go of the car to save some money.
Thankfully, the prices had come down and I had again started using the car. Since February, I had been taking my car to the office after dropping my wife and planned my day’s travel schedule accordingly. But the prices have again risen so much that I am planning to shift to pool car service again,” said Soumya Mukherjee, who works at a Sector V office.
Prior to Friday, petrol prices in the city as well as the rest of the country have risen everyday since March 22 except just one day. The sharp rise was followed by more than four months of stagnation since the price had come down to Rs 104. 65 on November 4.
Over the last 10 days, petrol has become dearer by Rs 6. 7 per litre and diesel by Rs 6. 5 per litre in Kolkata, causing distress to household budgets. Compared to earlier waves of rises, this time the jump is higher. Prices in September-October-November rose in the range of 17p to 22p a litre a day, which is now 32p to 85p a litre a day.
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) revise rates of petrol and diesel at regular intervals based on the average price of benchmark fuel in international market in the preceding 15 days and foreign exchange rates.
The reason behind the rise was the rise in international oil prices that soared in recent days due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and a falling Indian rupee. Also, fuel prices differ from state to state, depending on the incidence of local taxes, like VAT and freight charges.
“We had lost a large chunk of customers during last year’s record run of fuel. After the government relieved the excise duties some customers were back. But again, the prices have risen so much that it is pinching the customers and we are losing out on them,” said Asish Das, manager of a petrol pump in north Kolkata.
Motorists said they are making necessary adjustments while lamenting that the rise in fuel prices is burning a hole in their pockets.