Petrol sales top pre-virus level for first time in 17 months, diesel 11% short
NEW DELHI: India’s petrol consumption topped the pre-virus level for the first time in 17 months and diesel sales, a key indicator for economic activities, stood just 11% short of the pandemic year in July as the country got back to business after a second Covid wave.
Market data for the month shows state-run fuel retailers, who control 90% of the market, sold 3.5% more petrol than the same period of 2019. Diesel consumption also rose to 89% of the pre-pandemic level.
Compared to last year, petrol sales were 17% higher and diesel consumption 12%. On a monthly basis, July petrol sales was nearly 9% higher than June, while diesel sales fell less than 1% short.
