The numbers on petrol station displays were revised on Friday (May 15, 2026), and with them rose a familiar sense of unease among Hyderabad’s commuters. At fuel bunks across the city, riders glanced at the revised rates, some asking attendants to stop at round figures lower than usual, others exchanging weary smiles that said more than words could. The city’s relentless traffic moved as always, but beneath the honking and bustle was a quieter calculation, of tighter budgets, trimmed expenses and one more price rise to absorb.
Oil marketing companies on Friday announced a ₹3 per litre increase in fuel prices, pushing petrol in Hyderabad to ₹110.89 per litre and diesel to ₹98.90, amid rising global energy costs linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
“Fuel prices do not feel like a gradual increase anymore. It feels like people are being pushed beyond their limit. We were already paying around ₹107 per litre, and now it has crossed ₹110. For ordinary citizens who depend on daily travel, this feels unfair, frustrating and economically exhausting,” said Chris Adams, a school teacher from Sun City, Bandlaguda.
“The recent hike in fuel prices is definitely hitting hard. I spend about ₹2,500 every week just on petrol and diesel, and with other daily expenses also rising, it is becoming very heavy on the pocket,” said Bansari Trivedi, a teacher from Sainikpuri. Referring to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to avoid single-person vehicle use, she said while the intent was understandable, it was not something that could be implemented overnight. “Given the extreme heat and the lifestyle we are used to, suddenly stopping car use is not practical,” she said. She added that shifting to public transport was also not an easy alternative for many.
