Mumbaikars will now have shell out Rs 77.45 for buying a litre of petrol on the other hand Delhi residents will have to pay only Rs 68.26.
After a Rs 3 hike in petrol prices with effect from Friday midnight, petrol has become costliest in Mumbai as compared to other cities. Mumbaikars will now have shell out Rs 77.45 for buying a litre of petrol on the other hand Delhi residents will have to pay only Rs 68.26. Even though both Mumbai and Delhi are metropolitan cities there is a huge variation of fuel prices in both these cities. Mumbaikars are unhappy with the state government’s decision to revise petrol rates citing drought cess reasons.
According to them, Mumbai is contributing more than 35 per cent taxes to the nation but the city is plagued by poor infrastructure and rising traffic jams. The government had taken the decision to revise petrol rates to recover the losses it had to incur on account of shutting liquor bars on highways. The petrol rate in Mumbai is highest when it is compared to other cities across the country. Thus Mumbaikars have to bear the brunt of rising fuel prices.
Sudesh Mehta a Kandivali resident said, “We are unhappy with the government’s decision to hike petrol prices. Mumbaikars already are finding it difficult to drive their vehicles during peak hours due to rising traffic jams. The state government should reconsider its decision to increase fuel prices.”
Nitin Jadhav an accountant working with a financial services firm in Andheri said, “I drive my motor bike for reaching my work place at Andheri as I find it difficult to board overcrowded suburban trains during peak hours. The rise in petrol price will further disturb my monthly budget.”
Jatin Desai a BPO employee from Malad said, “Why is the state government hiking fuel prices? The government raises the fuel price by four to five rupees but at the same time when prices slide in international market it does not pass on the benefit to customers.”
Sudhir Bhonsle a Borivali resident said, “Recurring fuel price hike is affecting my monthly budget. Now it will become difficult for the common man to purchase petrol. The government may be imposing drought cess and hiking petrol rates but whether this money is spent for the welfare of farmers? An audit of the money recovered by imposing drought cess must be conducted.”
The government had increased fuel price at a time when the state had witnessed good monsoon last season.
A petrol dealer from the city said, “Petrol prices have been increasing by Rs 7-8 per litre since last one year. Nowadays we are also finding it difficult to run our business due to low margins.”
The rates of petrol and diesel will change daily in tandem with international rates in some cities of the country with effect from May 1. A pilot project will be started in five cities namely Udaipur, Jamshedpur, Chandigarh, Pudhucherry and Visakhapatnam. If this project succeeds then it will be extended to other cities across the country.
