Rising fuel rates deepen burden on commuters

Patna: The third hike in petrol and diesel prices within just 10 days has led to frustration among Patna residents with commuters, transporters and small traders saying the repeated increases are putting additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.Oil marketing companies revised fuel prices again from Friday night, citing volatility in international crude oil prices amid the escalating US-Iran conflict. Petrol became costlier by 87 paise per litre and diesel by 91 paise.With the latest revision, petrol in Patna increased from Rs 110 to Rs 111 per litre, while diesel rose from Rs 96 to Rs 97 per litre. Earlier on May 19, petrol prices had gone up by 91 paise and diesel by 89 paise.The back-to-back hikes have pushed fuel prices to a fresh high in 2026 and raised fears of a further rise in transport and essential commodity costs.A commuter refuelling his bike at Dak Bungalow Chowk said, “If this is the third hike in 10 days, what will happen in 30?”An auto driver operating between Kankarbagh and Gandhi Maidan said the repeated increase in diesel prices was directly affecting his earnings.“I fill 5 litres of diesel every day. In 10 days, my cost has gone up sharply. Fares are the same, but passengers argue if we ask for even Rs 5 extra. How do we survive?” he said.A schoolteacher from Boring Road said rising fuel prices were upsetting monthly household calculations.“My petrol bill was around Rs 2,800 last month. With two hikes this week, it will easily cross Rs 3,100. Grocery and vegetable prices are also rising,” she said.Transporters warned that higher diesel prices would soon affect the cost of essentials.A transporter from Transport Nagar said, “Fruit, vegetables and milk transported by road will become costlier if diesel prices continue rising.”At fuel stations across Patna, attendants said more customers were opting for fuel worth Rs 100 or Rs 200 instead of asking for full tanks.