Fuel marketers have raised retail petrol and diesel prices in Bengaluru for the third time this month [1], [2].

These frequent price adjustments threaten to increase the cost of living for residents and raise operational expenses for the city's commercial infrastructure. The transport sector said these hikes could cause a ripple effect on logistics and consumer costs [1], [2].

Regular petrol is now priced at ₹108.09 per litre, while diesel has reached ₹95.99 per litre [1]. These figures follow a series of increases throughout May 2024. On May 15, prices rose by approximately ₹3 per litre [1]. This was followed by another increase of 90 paise on May 19 [1].

Across various Indian metros, petrol price increases have reached up to 94 paise per litre [2]. The impact is even more pronounced for high-end fuel options; Shell premium petrol in Bengaluru has crossed ₹136 per litre [3].

Oil companies said the revisions were prompted by rising global crude oil prices [1], [2]. The volatility in the international market continues to dictate the retail rates at the pump, leaving local transport operators to absorb or pass on the costs to the public.

“Petrol is now priced at ₹108.09 per litre, while diesel has reached ₹95.99 per litre.”

The repeated price hikes in a single month indicate a high sensitivity to global crude oil volatility. Because diesel powers the majority of India's logistics and freight, these increases typically lead to 'cost-push inflation,' where the rising cost of transporting goods eventually increases the retail price of essential commodities and food for the end consumer.