OMC fuel prices remain elevated, with petrol above ₹100/litre in major metros

State-owned oil marketing companies held petrol and diesel rates broadly unchanged on August 26, following May increases of ₹2.61/litre for petrol and ₹2.71/litre for diesel. Delhi petrol is ₹102.12/litre, while Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad remain above ₹110/litre.

— Source publishedWed, 26 Aug, 2026, 08:35 IST·First seen Wed, 26 Aug, 2026, 09:07 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

State-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) · Petrol and diesel prices across major Indian cities were largely unchanged on August 26 after state-owned OMCs

Key facts

  • Petrol price increase since May 25: ₹2.61/litre
  • Diesel price increase since May 25: ₹2.71/litre
  • Delhi petrol: ₹102.12/litre
  • Delhi diesel: ₹95.20/litre
  • Mumbai petrol: ₹111.21/litre
  • Hyderabad petrol: ₹115.69/litre
  • Hyderabad diesel: ₹103.82/litre
  • Kolkata petrol: ₹113.51/litre
  • Chennai petrol: ₹107.76/litre

Why this matters

Persistently high fuel costs strengthen the strategic case for investments or partnerships in EV fleets, route-optimization software, localized fulfillment and other logistics-cost reduction capabilities.

What to watch

  • Further OMC petrol or diesel price revisions, especially another increase above ₹1-2/litre.
  • Brent crude movement, rupee depreciation and changes in central or state fuel taxes.
  • Monthly CPI transport inflation and consumer-confidence indicators.
  • Retailer commentary on freight, delivery costs, store footfall and discretionary-category demand.
  • Quick-commerce and e-commerce changes to delivery fees, minimum-order values and promotional intensity.
  • Prioritize value packs, private-label essentials and sharper price-point merchandise in fuel-sensitive catchments.
  • Review freight contracts, delivery-zone economics and route density; consolidate replenishment and reduce low-utilization last-mile runs.
  • Use targeted rather than blanket promotions, focused on categories facing household-budget pressure.
  • Consider delivery-fee surcharges, higher free-delivery thresholds or membership incentives to protect e-commerce contribution margins.
  • Track store traffic by commute-dependent suburban locations versus neighborhood stores and adjust local assortment and staffing.