Number theory: Fuel prices continue to rise, relief unlikely soon

Petrol and diesel prices continue to rise in India, and Chennai is likely to become the second metropolitan city where petrol prices will cross the psychological barrier of ₹100 per litre soon. With no signals from the Union government and the states that they will cut taxes on fuel, and a continuous rise in international petroleum prices, relief on this front is unlikely in the near future. Here are five charts that describe the situation.

A significant increase in prices compared to last year

With the exception of diesel prices in Delhi, petrol-diesel prices have increased by at least 20% in the past year.