June petrol sales rebound to 90% of pre-virus level, diesel 18% short

NEW DELHI: Fuel consumption recovered smartly in June to almost pre-pandemic level as economic activities picked up and holidaymakers took to the highways in large numbers after states lifted curbs on the back of declining Covid-19 cases across the country.

Petrol consumption posted a monthly jump of nearly 30% and diesel more than 18% in June to reach 90% and 81%, respectively, of sales in the same month of 2019, when consumption was ‘normal’.

Compared to last year, the volume of petrol sold in June is nearly 6% higher and diesel is short by just about 2%. Demand was drastically curtailed in June 2019 due to the countrywide lockdown to check the Coronavirus from spreading.