Petrol demand slumps as lockdown takes toll

New Delhi: Demand for petrol and diesel is down 66 per cent in April, while aviation turbine fuel (ATF) consumption has collapsed by 90 per cent as most airlines have stopped flying, industry officials said. India's fuel consumption slumped as a nationwide lockdown halted economic activity and travel, which eviscerated demand.

In April 2019, India had consumed 2.4 million tonnes of petrol and 7.3 million tonnes of diesel. As much as 6,45,000 tonnes of ATF was used during the same time last year.

The collapse of demand in the world's third-biggest consumer during April comes on the back of worst fuel sales in more than a decade recorded in March 2020.

The country's petroleum product consumption fell 17.79 per cent to 16.08 million tonnes in March as diesel, petrol and ATF demand fell, according to official data released.

Diesel, the most consumed fuel in the country, saw demand contract by 24.23 per cent to 5.65 million tonnes. This is the biggest fall in diesel consumption the country has recorded as most trucks went off-road and railways stopped plying trains.

Petrol sales dropped 16.37 per cent to 2.15 million tonnes in March as the 21-day nationwide lockdown enforced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 took most cars and two-wheelers off the road.

With flights grounded since mid-March, ATF consumption fell 32.4 per cent to 4,84,000 tonnes. The only fuel that showed growth was LPG as households rushed to book refills for stocking during the three-week lockdown period.

LPG sales rose 1.9 per cent to 2.3 million tonnes in March. This is the first estimate of total petroleum product consumption in the country.

This includes sales by both public and private sector companies. Previously, provisional numbers of the three public sector oil marketing companies - Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) - were released that also showed a 17 per cent drop in petrol and 26 per cent slump in diesel sales in March.

Industry officials said the pattern in fuel consumption is continuing in April as the lockdown is to continue and there are indications that part restrictions will continue even after the lockdown is lifted.

Petrol and diesel sales in April are one-third of what they were a year ago, they said adding that demand is expected to pick up when the lockdown is lifted and restrictions on public transport lifted.

LPG sales in April is up 30 per cent, they said adding that these are provisional trends and actual numbers will only be known at the month-end.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a 21-day lockdown beginning March 25, shutting offices and factories, barring those involved in essential services.

Also, flights were suspended, trains stopped plying, vehicles went off the road and cargo movement stopped as most people were asked to stay home to help check the spread of coronavirus.

March is the first month in two-and-a-half years when petrol sales have seen a negative or de-growth.