Ahmedabad: Gujarat witnessed a substantial increase in fuel consumption in May, with diesel sales surging by 32.4% and petrol sales rising by 15.3%, despite the Centre’s call for austerity measures. Data released by public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) showed that diesel sales in the state increased by 1.74 lakh kilolitres (KL) during the month.

Figures from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) show that diesel consumption rose from 5.37 lakh KL in May 2025 to 7.11 lakh KL in May 2026.

Petrol sales also recorded robust growth, increasing from 2.67 lakh KL to 3.08 lakh KL during the same period. The additional 40,840 KL sold translates into a year-on-year growth of 15.3%.

OMC officials attributed the increase largely to a shift in procurement patterns, with bulk consumers increasingly purchasing fuel through authorised retail outlets following the Centre’s crackdown on black marketing, unauthorised stocking and diversion of petroleum products.

The rise in sales comes amid concerns over fuel availability due to geopolitical developments. However, state-run OMCs said supplies of petrol, diesel and LPG remain normal across the country. DeshGujarat