Diesel Hits Rs424.92 As Petrol Gets 43 Paisa Relief

The government has increased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.47 per litre to Rs424.92, while slightly reducing the petrol price by 43 paisa to Rs390.79 per litre for September 18 under the petroleum pricing mechanism.

According to the Petroleum Division, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products for September 18 in accordance with the existing pricing mechanism.

HSD has risen from Rs421.45 to Rs424.92 per litre, representing an increase of Rs3.47. Meanwhile, the price of motor spirit (petrol) has been lowered from Rs391.22 to Rs390.79 per litre, giving consumers a marginal reduction of 43 paisa.

The latest adjustment has pushed diesel beyond the Rs424-per-litre mark, adding further pressure on consumers and businesses that depend heavily on diesel for transportation, agriculture, electricity generation and other economic activities.

HSD is extensively used by heavy transport vehicles, buses, trucks and commercial fleets. Tractors and other agricultural machinery also rely heavily on diesel. As a result, an increase in its price can raise transportation and logistics expenses and potentially increase the prices of goods moved across the country.

The agricultural sector is also directly exposed to higher diesel costs, as farmers use HSD for tractors, tube-wells and other machinery. Rising fuel expenses can increase farm operating costs and make the transportation of agricultural produce from farms to markets more expensive.

The transport industry is expected to remain particularly sensitive to the diesel increase because commercial vehicles generally consume significantly more fuel than private cars and motorcycles. Higher operating expenses could eventually affect freight and passenger fares, depending on how transport operators respond.

For petrol users, the latest revision provides only 43 paisa per litre in relief. Although petrol has fallen to Rs390.79, the price remains close to the Rs391 level, making the reduction relatively minor compared with the overall fuel expenses faced by households using petrol-powered vehicles.

The Petroleum Division attributed the latest price adjustment to international market developments, including changes in Platts rates, premiums and other incidental factors.

The revised ex-depot prices will apply for September 18, 2026, with diesel becoming more expensive while petrol receives a small reduction.