Petrol at Rs 105.4 per litre in Kolkata, highest in any metro city

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Petrol prices across India’s major metro cities continue to reflect regional tax variations, with one city now surpassing Mumbai to claim the highest petrol rates.

According to a report by CNBC TV18, Although fuel price revisions have been on hold nationwide since May 2022, disparities remain due to different state taxes and local charges, leading to significant variations in what consumers pay at petrol pumps.

While a southern metro offers the cheapest petrol among major cities, an eastern metro has now taken the lead as the most expensive, slightly overtaking the previously highest rate. Diesel prices also show a mixed pattern, staying relatively stable but still differing across metros.

If you’re in West Bengal, note that among the four metros of Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi, petrol is most expensive in Kolkata. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) update fuel prices daily at 6 am, reflecting global crude oil movements and currency exchange rate changes. This system ensures transparency and that consumers pay fair, market-linked prices at fuel stations.

However, since a round of tax cuts by the central government and several states in mid-2022, prices have remained largely stable.

India's fuel pricing mechanism is theoretically dynamic, incorporating factors such as international crude prices, the rupee-dollar exchange rate, and refining and distribution costs. In practice, however, prices often remain shielded from real-time market changes, especially during politically or economically sensitive periods.

A weaker rupee generally raises petrol and diesel prices due to import costs, while state taxes are another major factor causing noticeable differences in fuel prices across regions. Despite the daily price revision system, these taxes create a buffer that can absorb or delay global pricing impacts.Petrol prices for major Indian cities on September 28

Kolkata: ₹105.41

Mumbai: ₹103.50

Chennai: ₹100.80

New Delhi: ₹94.77