Mumbai residents woke up to another sharp rise in fuel prices on Saturday as petrol and diesel rates were increased for the third time this month, intensifying pressure on household budgets and transportation costs across the city.
Following the latest revision by state-run oil companies, petrol prices in Mumbai climbed close to the ₹109-per-litre mark, while diesel rates moved beyond ₹95 per litre. Petrol now costs ₹108.49 per litre in the city, up from ₹107.62, while diesel rose from ₹94.11 to ₹95.02 per litre.
The fresh hike comes amid continued volatility in global crude oil markets and growing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, particularly concerns linked to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
The latest increase follows two recent revisions earlier this month, resulting in fuel prices rising by nearly ₹5 per litre within just one week. The repeated hikes are now beginning to impact daily expenses for commuters, transport operators, delivery services and small businesses dependent on fuel-based logistics.
Transporters and local traders in Mumbai say the fuel surge is already pushing up the prices of vegetables, groceries, milk and other essential commodities as transportation expenses continue to rise.
Cab drivers, auto-rickshaw operators and commercial vehicle owners are among the worst affected, with many warning that operational costs have become increasingly difficult to manage.
The situation has also triggered concerns over inflation in the financial capital, where residents are already grappling with rising living costs and expensive food supplies.
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas attempted to reassure consumers a day before the latest hike, stating that India currently has adequate fuel reserves and there is no shortage of petrol or diesel supply in the country.
The ministry appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying and purchase fuel only according to regular requirements. Authorities also said oil marketing companies are closely monitoring fuel distribution across retail outlets to maintain stable supply chains.
The fuel price increase was not limited to Mumbai alone. Petrol and diesel rates were revised upward in several metro cities, including Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, reflecting the broader impact of rising international crude prices on India’s domestic fuel market.
India imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making local fuel prices highly vulnerable to global geopolitical developments and disruptions in oil-producing regions.
