Personal mobility, goods movement lift fuel demand in January

New Delhi: Petrol sales rose 5.6% year-on-year and diesel demand increased 3% in January, supported by higher personal mobility and goods movement in a fast-expanding economy.

Sales of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) climbed 4.8%, while LPG consumption rose 7.5%, according to provisional data from the oil ministry. During April-January, petrol sales grew 6.3% and diesel consumption rose 3%. ATF sales increased 1.8% over the period, while LPG demand expanded 7.3%. Petrol sales growth has moderated in recent months, while diesel demand has picked up after the monsoon.

Diesel is traditionally weak in the first half of the year and strengthens in the second half as the festival season approaches, boosting manufacturing activity and demand for goods transport.