Diesel sales fall 5 per cent in November after reaching pre-Covid levels in October

India’s diesel gross sales fell 5 per cent within the first half of November compared with the earlier 12 months, trade information confirmed on Monday, after rising for the primary time in eight months in October.

Sale of diesel, probably the most used gasoline within the nation, was, nevertheless, 7 per cent greater month-on-month.

Between November 1 and 15, diesel consumption was 2.86 million tonnes, down from 3.01 million tonnes in the identical interval a 12 months again. It was, nevertheless, greater than the two.65 million tonnes demand in the course of the first half of October.

Petrol gross sales rose marginally to 1.03 million tonnes from 1.02 million tonnes, whereas cooking fuel (LPG) gross sales for the primary time this 12 months fell by 2 per cent to 1.07 million tonnes.

Aviation turbine gasoline (ATF) gross sales fell 53 per cent year-on-year to 155,000 tonnes however had been 1.Three per cent greater month-on-month.

The whole demand for petroleum merchandise rose 2.5 per cent in October to succeed in 17.77 million tonnes. While petrol had reached pre-COVID ranges in September itself, diesel consumption had returned to regular final month.

Diesel demand spurted 7.Four per cent year-on-year to six.5 million tonnes whereas petrol gross sales had been up 4.5 per cent at 2.54 million tonnes.

The progress in diesel consumption was the very best in a 12 months.

Industry sources mentioned month-on-month diesel gross sales has risen in November, which is an efficient signal.

Fuel demand had slumped by 49 per cent in April after a nationwide lockdown, imposed to curb the unfold of coronavirus, shut industries and took most automobiles off-road.

The 69-day nationwide lockdown was adopted by native and state-level restrictions. Restrictions have eased solely slowly and in phases, and localised restrictions in containment zones stay.

The onset of the festive season has fuelled an increase in consumption however public transport will not be again to regular ranges but as faculties and academic establishments proceed to stay shut in most elements of the nation.