Petrol, diesel prices unchanged across metros

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS): Domestic fuel prices stayed unchanged across the metro cities on Sunday, with petrol selling at INR 73 per litre in the national capital for the second straight day. According to data on the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) website, at INR 75.02, INR 78.57 and INR 75.77 per litre respectively, petrol prices were the same for the second day in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai as well. Despite the recent surge in global crude oil prices, the hike in petrol prices has been subdued of late. Experts say that state-run oil companies have put dynamic pricing on hold during the elections fearing a backlash. Fuel prices in the country are based on a 15-day average of global crude prices and the rupee-US dollar exchange rate. Currently, the benchmark Brent crude oil is priced around $72 per barrel. In tandem with petrol prices, the cost of diesel too remained unchanged in the major cities. It sold for INR 66.39, INR 68.13, INR 69.49 and INR 70.10 per litre respectively for the second day in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.