Petrol sales grew 4.6% and diesel 4% in April over the same month last year, according to the provisional consumption data released by the oil ministry.
Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) sales expanded 3.2% and LPG 6.7%. The sales trend in April significantly varied from March when petrol sales had grown 5.7% year-on-year, diesel by 0.9%, ATF by 5.7% and LPG by 4.2%.
Diesel’s 4% sales jump has come as a surprise as it recorded barely 2% growth in all of 2024-25. Similarly ATF sales growth at 3.2% is much lower than the average 8.9% growth seen in 2024-25.
Diesel is the mainstay of India’s road transport and accounts for nearly 40% in volume terms of all petroleum products consumed in the country.
Diesel growth has been slow for years due to increased popularity of vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as petrol, CNG and battery. ATF sales decline signals slowing air traffic.