New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) As state-run oil marketing companies increased petrol and diesel prices for the second time in less than a week amid rising global crude oil prices, people across Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday expressed concern over the growing financial burden.

In Delhi, a garment seller said the fuel price hike was creating difficulties for people dependent on daily earnings.

“I work in the clothing business and sell garments on the streets. My livelihood depends on daily earnings, and now the increase in fuel prices is creating problems for us,” he said.

Another commuter in the national capital said he learned about the hike while leaving for duty in the morning.

“Due to the ongoing war situation, conditions are similar across many countries,” he added.

In Basti, Uttar Pradesh, a local resident said fuel prices were expected to keep rising. “What can we even say about it? Whatever we are getting is fine. It is manageable for those who are employed,” he remarked.

Residents in Ballia also voiced concern over the increase in fuel prices.

A local said, “Petrol and diesel prices have increased significantly. A hike of around three rupees per litre is causing trouble for the public. Everything has become expensive — gas, diesel, petrol, everything.”

In Chandigarh, another resident urged the government to control fuel prices, saying, “Prices should not rise further. Due to the war situation, we are definitely being affected. I request the government to reduce fuel and diesel prices.”

On Tuesday, State-run oil marketing companies raised petrol and diesel prices for the second time in less than a week amid soaring global crude oil prices.

Following the latest revision, petrol became costlier by 86 paise per litre and diesel by 83 paise per litre.

In the national capital, petrol prices rose to Rs 98.64 per litre, while diesel prices increased to Rs 91.58 per litre.

The increase comes days after oil firms raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, the first hike in more than four years amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and a sharp rise in global crude prices triggered by the US-Iran conflict.

Moreover, fuel prices are now at their highest levels since May 2022.

The latest hike in fuel prices also follows successive increases in compressed natural gas (CNG) rates.

India’s leading city gas distributor, Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), on Sunday increased compressed natural gas (CNG) prices by Re 1 per kg across its network, the second hike within 48 hours.

Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since tensions involving Iran escalated earlier this year, disrupting supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key oil shipping routes.

Last week, oil marketing companies (OMCs) raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre each. Following that revision, petrol prices in Delhi rose by Rs 3.14 per litre to Rs 97.77, while diesel became costlier by Rs 3.11 per litre.

–IANS

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