Rise In Fuel Prices Hits Chennai's Lower and Middle Classes Hard

The impact of steep fuel prices in Chennai seems to have affected everyday spending habits as well.

For Babu who works in sales, his monthly fuel expense has increased by Rs. 2,000 over the last six months as the price of petrol in Chennai has crossed 102 rupees a litre, up by ten rupees in just seven months. However, his salary has not kept pace.

As he filled up the fuel tank of his motorcycle, he told NDTV, "Half of what I earn is spent on petrol. I have to manage all my household expenses with the rest". Babu works as a salesperson. 

The impact of steep fuel prices seems to have affected everyday spending habits as well. Close to the Mylapore temple, Jai Ganesh who sells dolls during Navaratri has suffered losses for the second consecutive year. "Prices have gone up, but demand is declining," he says. "Everyone has been hit financially and sales have gone down drastically. Those who used to buy ten dolls earlier buy only two now," Mr Ganesh explained.

Kalaivani's family is hoping to buy Navaratri dolls at a cheaper price on the last day of the festival. They say they walk to their destinations as much as possible to save on petrol. Two earning members of her family have faced up to fifty per cent salary cuts. "We used to get 1.5 litres of petrol for Rs. 100 but now the same amount fetches us only a litre. We are now forced to walk for everyday activities like grocery shopping.