On Friday, petrol and diesel prices in India were raised by ₹3 per litre, marking the end of a four-year freeze on fuel price adjustments. In New Delhi, petrol now costs ₹97.77 per litre, while diesel is priced at ₹90.67. The price hikes vary across cities due to local taxes; for instance, petrol in Kolkata now costs ₹108.74, while in Mumbai, it is ₹106.68. The increase is primarily attributed to a surge in global oil prices, which spiked above $120 per barrel amid conflicts in West Asia. This surge forced state-owned oil companies to adjust prices after previously maintaining them despite rising input costs. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had hinted at the necessity of a price revision, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's calls for energy conservation. The last price freeze began in April 2022, with a minor reduction before the Lok Sabha elections in March 2024.