New Delhi: Indian gasoline consumption in December rose more than 13% of the pre-pandemic level and diesel sales stands only 1.6% short in the same month 2019 behind economic activities that rebounded and increased private vehicle preferences.
Government data showed gasoline sales increased by more than 4% and diesel consumption, the key measure of economic activity, an increase of 1.4% in December from the same period in 2020, strengthening the trend since October last year.
In sequence, December gasoline sales were 6.6% higher and diesel 13.6% more than in November.
The sale of jet fuel in December also grew more than 25% from the same month in 2020 but was still 26% short of December 2019.
In order, December sales were almost 10% higher than November because more flights went down to the sky.
But still, industry sources say sales cannot reach the pre-pandemic level to regular international flight resumes.
LPG, as usual, continues the growth path, exceeds the December 2019 level of more than 5% but 1% lower than December 2020.