Demand for petrol and diesel in the country is at a nine-month low

New delhi date. 13

Demand fell to a nine-month low in May as petrol and diesel prices skyrocketed in the country. Demand was reduced due to lockdowns and restrictions imposed across the country to prevent the spread of the Koro epidemic.

According to the Department of Petroleum Planning and Analysis (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum, fuel demand fell by 1.5 per cent in May to 181 million tonnes. This is at a time when the comparative base was soft in May 2020. Demand for petrol and diesel was 11.5 per cent lower than in April 2011. The country imposed a nationwide lockdown during April-May last year due to the Corona crisis. This year too the situation was dire, but lockdowns and sanctions were imposed locally. The demand for petrol-diesel has not affected the use of vehicles as much as it did last year.

According to the department's data, petrol consumption in May 2021 was 18.5 lakh tonnes, which is 18 per cent more than last year. This is 12 per cent less than in April 2021 and 6 per cent less than in the previous situation of Corona. Diesel sales rose modestly to 6.5 lakh tonnes in May on an annual basis, but down 19 per cent from April 2021 and 6 per cent lower than the previous year. Air travel has also declined due to travel restrictions. As a result, ATF sales also declined by 8% on a monthly basis to 2,8,000 tonnes.