Petrol and Diesel Price Update March 15: Fuel Price Rates Hold Steady in Major Cities Despite Middle East Tensions

India

oi-Swastika Sruti

Petrol and diesel prices in several Indian cities remained mostly stable on Sunday, March 15, despite fluctuations in global oil markets. The stability in domestic fuel prices comes at a time when international crude oil prices are being affected by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Fuel prices in India are reviewed daily by government-owned oil companies, but the rates have not seen major changes recently. This has provided temporary relief to consumers even as global energy markets remain uncertain.

How Fuel Prices Are Updated in India

Petrol and diesel prices in India are revised daily by Oil Marketing Companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum.

These companies update the fuel prices every morning at 6 a.m. to reflect changes in:

• Global crude oil prices
• Currency exchange rates
• International fuel demand and supply

The pricing system was introduced to ensure that domestic fuel rates remain closely linked with international market trends.

Petrol and Diesel Prices in Major Cities

Here are the latest petrol and diesel prices in some major Indian cities:

Fuel prices vary across cities mainly due to differences in local taxes, transportation costs, and dealer commissions.

LPG and CNG Prices in Delhi

Apart from petrol and diesel, the prices of LPG cylinders and CNG also remain important for households and transport users.

In Delhi, the current prices are:

• Domestic LPG (14.2 kg): ₹913 per cylinder
• Commercial LPG (19 kg): ₹1,884.50 per cylinder
• CNG: ₹77.09 per kg (sold by Indraprastha Gas Limited)

These fuel prices are revised periodically depending on global energy costs and domestic policy decisions.

Government Assures Energy Security

Earlier on March 13, Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, told Parliament that the country’s energy supplies remain secure despite global disruptions.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said the government has taken several steps to ensure the continuous availability of petroleum products, cooking gas and natural gas across the country.

The minister emphasised that India has diversified its energy sources and strengthened supply chains to reduce the impact of global crises.

Rupee May Remain Volatile in March

A report by Union Bank of India suggested that the Indian Rupee may remain volatile throughout March due to geopolitical tensions and global economic developments.

According to the report, the rupee recently fell to a record low of ₹92.48 per US dollar on March 13, reflecting pressure from rising crude oil prices and uncertainty in global markets.

Currency movements directly influence fuel prices in India because the country imports a large portion of its crude oil.

Tensions Around the Strait of Hormuz

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have increased concerns about disruptions in global energy supply routes.

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei recently suggested using the option of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil and natural gas supplies.

The strait is extremely important for the global energy market, as nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments pass through it.

According to the International Energy Agency, the ongoing Middle East conflict could potentially create one of the largest supply disruptions in the history of the global oil market.

The agency reported that crude oil production in the region has already fallen by about 8 million barrels per day due to tensions and supply pressures.

Impact on Global Oil Supply

Meanwhile, Chris Wright, the US Secretary of Energy, recently stated that the United States Department of Energy is currently focused on operations related to Iran and is not ready to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

This situation has increased uncertainty in global energy markets and raised concerns about possible increases in crude oil prices.

Outlook for Fuel Prices in India

For now, petrol and diesel prices in India remain stable despite global uncertainty. However, experts say that if geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt energy supply routes or push crude oil prices higher, domestic fuel prices could eventually see adjustments.

Consumers are advised to keep checking daily fuel price updates, as rates may change depending on international market conditions.