Commercial LPG prices cut by up to ₹209, second straight monthly relief for businesses
After months of steep increases that pinched restaurants, hotels and small businesses, commercial LPG prices have finally moved further in the opposite direction.
Oil marketing companies on Saturday announced another sharp reduction in the price of 19-kg commercial LPG cylinders, cutting rates by around ₹200 across major cities. At the same time, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) became costlier by ₹5 per litre, raising operating costs for domestic airlines.
The latest revision, effective August 1, brings the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi down by ₹192 to ₹2,738. In Mumbai, the cylinder is now cheaper by ₹194 and will cost ₹2,691.50.
Chennai has recorded a ₹200 reduction, taking the revised price to ₹2,906 per cylinder.
Kolkata has received the biggest relief among the four metros, with prices falling by ₹209. A 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in the city will now cost ₹2,872.50.
The price of domestic LPG cylinders, however, remains unchanged. Consumers using 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders, largely preferred by migrant workers and small households, have also received relief.
In Delhi, the price has been reduced by ₹46.50, bringing the cost down to ₹762 per cylinder.
This is the second consecutive reduction in commercial LPG prices. On July 1, oil companies had lowered the price of a 19-kg cylinder by around ₹183. With Saturday's revision, commercial LPG prices have fallen by roughly ₹380 over two rounds.
The latest cuts come after a prolonged spell of hikes. Between March 7 and June, commercial LPG cylinder prices had increased by nearly ₹1,345 across four revisions amid supply concerns linked to tensions in West Asia.
Prices of 5-kg FTL cylinders have also fallen by around ₹60 over the last two revisions.
While commercial kitchens and businesses have received another round of relief, airlines will now have to absorb higher fuel costs following the increase in ATF prices to ₹115 per litre for domestic scheduled carriers.