MUMBAI: Petrol price in Mumbai hit an all-time high on Monday, with the city’s 11 lakh motorists and 23 lakh bikers bound to feel the pinch. Retail rate at over 200 city pumps rose to Rs 91.8 per litre—breaching the last highest of Rs 91.34 on October 4, 2018.
Diesel, too, set a new record with a hike of 27 paise taking the price from Rs 81.60 to Rs 82.13 a litre. The price of petrol in Parbhani district continues to be the highest in the country at a revised rate of Rs 93.97. Since March 2020, petrol price in Mumbai has increased by over Rs 16 a litre.
“This is ridiculous. During peak hours, due to traffic snarls, we have to drive cars at speeds as low as 10-15 kmph. We waste a lot of fuel in traffic jams and the petrol price hike will hit us hard,” said Abhishek Das, an officegoer, who takes his car from Thane to Andheri.
Transporters say this is the highest rate so far and an increase in cost of essential goods, fruits and vegetables is an inevitable fallout. “It is actually diesel cost that has hit our industry, which is on the brink of collapse, especially small transporters,” said a Chembur transport firm owner. As on date, 65% trucks are lying idle due to transportation costs—65% of which comprises fuel and 20% is toll.
