Noida, Apr 9 (APAC Media): Petrol and diesel rates in India held steady on Thursday, providing a respite for motorists amid persistent global crude oil fluctuations and geopolitical tensions affecting energy markets worldwide.
The stability in pricing reflects efforts by oil marketing companies to protect consumers from abrupt changes driven by international crude prices and currency swings.
In most major cities, petrol and diesel prices remained largely unchanged from the previous day, with only slight fluctuations observed in a few non-metro areas.
Retail fuel rates are shaped by multiple factors, including international crude oil prices, the rupee–dollar exchange rate, central excise duties, and state-level VAT, leading to noticeable variations across different cities.
City‑wise snapshot of petrol and diesel prices (per litre) in key Indian cities on April 9, 2026:
| City | Petrol (Rs/Litre) | Diesel (Rs/Litre) |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 94.77 | 87.67 |
| Mumbai | 103.54 | 90.03 |
| Kolkata | 105.45 | 92.02 |
| Chennai | 100.84 (or ~101.06) | 92.39 (~91.50) |
| Bengaluru | 102.96 | 90.99 (~88.95) |
| Hyderabad | 107.46 | 95.70 (~97.00) |
| Ahmedabad | 94.49 | 90.16 |
| Patna | 105.71 | 91.49 |
| Lucknow | 95.34 | 88.50 |
(Figures in parentheses represent alternate reports from other sources; overall, prices have remained largely unchanged from the previous day.)
Fuel prices showed a marked contrast between northern and southern cities, with Hyderabad and Kolkata recording the highest petrol rates, while New Delhi and Ahmedabad remained relatively more affordable.
Diesel followed a similar pattern, with southern cities like Hyderabad and Chennai seeing higher costs compared to their northern counterparts.
Oil prices rebounded on Thursday after experiencing their sharpest single-day drop since 2020, driven by renewed supply concerns amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Brent crude for June delivery rose 2.1% to $96.73 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May gained 2.7% to $96.99 per barrel. The recovery comes after a steep 13% decline in the previous session, underscoring the persistent volatility in global oil markets.
The relative stability in fuel prices is largely due to oil marketing companies absorbing part of the rising input costs rather than transferring them to consumers. In certain cases, these companies have procured diesel at discounted rates from refineries to prevent sudden retail price hikes.
This approach helps manage consumer sentiment and keeps inflationary pressures on transportation and logistics in check.
Looking ahead, shifts in global crude oil prices or currency movements could lead to changes in retail fuel rates.
Analysts indicate that a sustained drop in international crude could result in modest reductions at the pump in the coming weeks. However, petrol and diesel prices remain steady across most cities, providing temporary relief for commuters and transport operators.
