Panaji: Fuel demand in the state has surged this month despite repeated price hikes, taking oil marketing companies and fuel station retailers by surprise.
Oil marketing companies on Friday stated that diesel demand in Goa increased by 14.3 per cent between May 1 and 21, a period during which fuel prices were raised twice, resulting in a cumulative increase of Rs 4 per litre.
Consumption of high-speed diesel (HSD) in the state rose to 18,697 KL compared to 16,353 KL during the corresponding period last year.
Goa Petrol Dealers’ Association president Narhar Thakur stated that petrol demand had also remained strong despite the price increase.
“Surprisingly, demand for petrol also has not come down. The demand is firm and, in fact, on the higher side presently,” Thakur said.
He stated that consumers appeared apprehensive about a possible fuel shortage due to the ongoing war situation.
Oil marketing companies attributed the rise in fuel demand to multiple factors, including seasonal tilling and harvesting activities in rural agricultural areas, a shift of customers from private sector outlets to PSU retail outlets, and migration of institutional and commercial consumers to retail fuel stations. Similar increases in demand have also been reported in several other states.
According to fuel station owners, after the US-Israel war and global oil market disturbances, the government stopped retailers from directly supplying diesel through tanker trucks or bowsers to large consumers such as construction sites, hospitals, business establishments and fishing trawlers. As a result, large commercial consumers are now purchasing diesel from retail fuel stations.
Petrol and diesel in Goa are currently retailing at Rs 100.40 per litre and Rs 92.17 per litre respectively, after rates were first increased by Rs 3 per litre on May 15, followed by another hike of 90 paise on May 19.
The three oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum — stated that fuel supply remained uninterrupted and there was no shortage. They stated that petroleum products were being replenished in a timely manner across markets and advised citizens to continue normal purchasing behaviour and avoid panic buying.
According to available data, Goa’s per capita petrol consumption at 149.2 kg per person is the highest in India against the national average of 30.1 kg per person. Per capita diesel consumption in Goa at 184.1 kg per person is also significantly higher than the all-India average of 67 kg per person.
