Domestic fuel consumption jumps 12%

India’s fuel consumption rose 12 per cent in October, the highest growth rate this financial year, on the back of a surge in demand for auto fuels — petrol and diesel.

Fuel consumption rose 12 per cent to 11.058 million tonnes in October, against 9.872 million tonnes a year ago, according to the data available from the petroleum ministry.

The surge was led by a smart 12.5 per cent growth in demand of diesel, at 4.768 million tonnes. Diesel is the most consumed fuel in the country.

Petrol sales soared 18.6 per cent, to 1.11 million tonnes, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) demand increased 10.1 per cent to 1.095 million tonnes.

The robust increase in fuel consumption in October comes on the back of a near-flat growth rate in the previous month. Fuel demand had risen 0.8 per cent in September, to 10.69 million tonnes.

Private firms, notably Essar Oil, recorded impressive 57.1 per cent growth in petroleum product sales at 1.2 million tonnes, while the sales of public sector companies increased 8.2 per cent to 9.855 million tonnes.

During April-October, fuel consumption went up 7.2 per cent to 74.893 million tonnes, compared to 69.885 million tonnes in the corresponding period previous year.

Diesel sales moved up 9 per cent, to 31.91 million tonnes, while petrol demand soared 15.3 per cent, to 7.426 million tonnes. LPG sales increased 5.2 per cent to 7.069 million tonnes.