India's fuel sales hit 3-year high in March

Total petroleum product consumption in March stood at 19.41 million tonnes, the highest since March 2019

The country's fuel demand soared 4.2% to a three-year high in March as petrol and diesel consumption rose above pre-pandemic levels, according to official data released on Monday.

Total petroleum product consumption in March stood at 19.41 million tonnes, the highest since March 2019, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the Oil Ministry showed.

As the economy continued to rebound from the deep impact of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for transport fuel rose in March.

Diesel, the most used fuel in the country accounting for almost 40% of all petroleum product consumption, saw the demand rising by 6.7% to 7.7 million tonnes. Petrol sales, which crossed the pre-COVID levels a few months ago, were up 6.1% at 2.91 million tonnes.

Demand for both the fuels in March was above pre-pandemic levels.

Diesel consumption was higher due to strong demand from agriculture sector as well as stocking up by consumers and petrol pumps in anticipation of a price hike.

Cooking gas (LPG) demand grew by 9.8% to 2.48 million tonnes in March.