India’s retail fuel prices rose again on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with petrol up 87 paise and diesel up 91 paise per litre, piling fresh pressure on households and businesses already facing higher transport and logistics costs amid the prolonged West Asia conflict. The increase, industry data show, follows a separate nationwide hike of Rs 3 per litre just three days earlier and is the second rise within a week as state-run oil marketing companies struggle with mounting losses from surging global crude prices and disrupted supply routes.
In four major metros, petrol now costs Rs 98.64 per litre in Delhi (▲87 paise), Rs 107.59 in Mumbai (▲91 paise), Rs 109.70 in Kolkata (▲96 paise) and Rs 104.49 in Chennai (▲82 paise). Diesel prices have climbed to Rs 91.58 per litre in Delhi (▲91 paise), Rs 94.08 in Mumbai (▲94 paise), Rs 96.07 in Kolkata (▲94 paise) and Rs 96.11 in Chennai (▲86 paise).
The latest rises came after Friday’s revision that had already pushed Delhi petrol from Rs 94.77 to Rs 97.77 per litre and diesel from Rs 87.67 to Rs 90.67. Officials say the back-to-back increases reflect higher international crude and the added cost of shipping and insurance as tensions in West Asia persist.
The conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has strained the Strait of Hormuz — a key chokepoint through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil passes — raising freight costs and insurance premiums and keeping Brent crude above the $100-per-barrel mark in recent weeks. India, which imports more than 80% of its crude requirements, remains highly vulnerable to prolonged supply shocks and sustained high international energy prices.
At an inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the government was monitoring the situation and that supplies of essential fuels remained adequate. “There is no need for panic among LPG distributors, retail outlets or consumers, as the supply of all essential fuels continues normally,” she said, adding that refineries were operating normally and crude inventories were sufficient.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit on May 12, said India had maintained stable fuel availability despite global disruptions. Economists warn that if crude prices stay elevated, the impact could spread through higher freight and food inflation and weaker consumer spending, complicating India’s inflation outlook in the coming months.
The government has urged consumers to conserve fuel and consider alternatives such as piped natural gas, induction cooktops and electric cooking systems where feasible. (Updated May 19, 2026.)
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/business/fuel-price-hike-petrol-diesel-west-asia-oil-shock-india-14012606.html
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Publish Date: 2026-05-19 07:10:00
