Fuel prices rise for 3rd time in nine days in Chhattisgarh, petrol crosses ₹105 in Raipur

RAIPUR: Fuel prices in Chhattisgarh saw the third hike in just nine days leading to concerns over rising transport costs, inflationary pressure and panic buying across several cities.

Petrol and diesel prices were increased by around 90 paise per litre on Saturday after earlier hikes on May 15 and May 19, when rates had already been raised by nearly Rs 3.9 paise per litre respectively.The back-to-back revisions have pushed petrol prices in Raipur to around Rs 105.19 per litre, while diesel is now retailing at nearly Rs 98.29 per litre.The state govt has from Saturday also prohibited the sale of petrol and diesel in drums, bottles and jerrycans from fuel stations across Chhattisgarh, in an attempt to curb stockpiling and unauthorised resale.

Officials warned that any petrol pump found selling fuel in containers without authorisation would face action.The impact of price hike is sharper in northern districts. In Surguja, petrol touched ₹106.52 per litre and diesel ₹99.68, while Bilaspur recorded petrol at ₹106.05 and diesel at ₹99.16 per litre.The repeated hikes have now begun spilling beyond fuel stations into the larger economy. With diesel costs climbing steadily, transporters fear an increase in freight charges, which could soon make vegetables, fruits, ration supplies and other essential commodities costlier across the state.

The agriculture sector, too, is expected to feel the pinch. Higher diesel prices are likely to increase operating costs for tractors, irrigation pumps and harvesting equipment ahead of the kharif season preparations. Bus operators, school transport services and auto-rickshaw unions are also expected to revise fares if prices continue to rise.The latest hike comes days after panic buying and supply-related rumours triggered chaotic scenes outside some of the fuel stations in districts.The Raipur district administration has issued helpline numbers — 9977222564, 9977222574, 9977222584 and 9977222594 — for complaints related to overpricing, hoarding or illegal sale of petrol and diesel.However, exemptions have been granted for farmers requiring diesel for harvesting and agricultural operations, as well as for railways, road construction projects, hospitals, mobile towers and other essential services.

Such users will require prior approval from the SDM concerned.Govt attributed the fuel price surge primarily to volatility in global crude oil markets. Under India’s dynamic pricing system, fuel rates are revised daily based on international crude prices, rupee-dollar exchange rates, refining costs, central excise duty, dealer commissions and state VAT rates. Since taxation structures vary from state to state, retail prices also differ across cities.