Petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly ₹4 per litre within five days, prompting transporters in Madhya Pradesh to signal a hike in freight charges. Transport costs are expected to rise by 5% to 10% in the coming days.
The Iran-US conflict has already pushed up the prices of milk, food items and LPG cylinders over the past two months. Experts now warn that higher freight costs could further fuel inflation and disrupt household budgets.
Freight charges in Bhopal may increase by up to 10 percent.
Transport sector already under pressure
Bhopal-based transport businessman Kamal Panjwani said the transport sector was already struggling due to government policies, and rising diesel prices may worsen the situation.
“The transport sector is already surviving on oxygen support. Now diesel prices are rising rapidly, which could severely impact business operations,” he said.
He explained that if freight charges between Bhopal and Indore currently stand at ₹10,000, they could increase to nearly ₹11,000.
According to industry estimates, Madhya Pradesh has nearly 8 to 10 lakh trucks operating with all-India permits, transporting goods across the country.
Daily essentials likely to become costlier
Truck and loading vehicles are used to transport grocery items, soybeans, cotton, wheat, cement, limestone, medicines, automobile and engineering parts, electronic goods, solar panels and fertilizers across the state.
Transporters say any increase in freight charges will directly impact the prices of these commodities.
Kamal Panjwani said the burden of increased transport costs would ultimately fall on consumers.
Hotels and Restaurants raise food prices by 10-15%
Bhopal Hotel and Restaurant Association president Tejkul Pal Singh Pali said the hospitality industry was already grappling with an LPG crisis.
“Commercial LPG cylinder prices have increased by nearly 50% within two months. A cylinder now costs around Rs 3,000,” he said.
Following the LPG price surge, food prices in Bhopal’s hotels and restaurants have reportedly increased by 10% to 15%.
Milk prices have also risen by nearly Rs 2 per litre, leading to higher prices of paneer and curd, which has directly affected restaurant menus.
Grocery traders warn of further price rise
Grocery trader Vivek Sahu said prices of daily-use items have increased in the market following the Iran-US conflict.
“The public is already facing pressure on household budgets. If freight charges increase further, prices of essential goods will rise even more,” he said.
Taxi operators plan fare hike
Nafees Uddin, National Secretary of the All India Taxi Union Kalyan Samiti, said discussions were underway between the organisation and taxi drivers regarding fare revisions.
“A major meeting will be held within the next week where a proposal to increase fares by 10% to 20% will be discussed,” he said.
The final decision on the extent of the fare hike will be taken after the meeting.
Reports of fuel stock limits at pumps
According to petrol pump operators, HPCL pumps allegedly lock dispensing machines after 300 litres of diesel are filled at one time, while BPCL and Indian Oil pumps reportedly stop dispensing beyond 200 litres.
Bus and truck fuel tanks generally hold between 150 and 600 litres of diesel.
However, oil companies have denied imposing any such restrictions.
HPCL CGM Ashwin K Sinha and Indian Oil CGM Navneet Mehta stated that no such fuel-capping policy had been implemented.
