The monthly household expenditure for lakhs of commuters in the State capital has taken a severe hit on Friday. Petrol prices in Bhopal witnessed a sharp spike, while neighbouring districts saw even more staggering figures. According to the latest market data, the price of petrol in Bhopal jumped from Rs 106.51 to Rs 109.80 per litre. This significant increase of Rs 3.29 in a single day marks one of the steepest hikes in recent months. However, the capital city was not the hardest hit. In districts like Mandla and Chhatarpur and others, prices have soared even higher, reaching Rs 111.45 and Rs 111.35 respectively, leaving residents in these regions struggling to keep up with the soaring costs. Commuting is becoming a luxury: The sudden announcement has triggered widespread anxiety among the residents of Bhopal and its surrounding areas, where personal vehicle dependency is high. For daily-wage earners and middle-class families, the revision is being viewed as a tipping point. “It is getting nearly impossible to manage a monthly budget now,” said Sunita, a school teacher residing in Arera Colony.

 

“First, it was the hike in cylinder prices, daily groceries and milk, and now petrol has suddenly shot up by more than Rs 3. My workplace is 12 kilometres away. For a family running two-wheelers for daily chores, this translates into an immediate burden of hundreds of extra rupees every month. When everything gets costlier at the same time, the entire family budget collapses.” Echoing similar concerns, Shivam, a university student in MP Nagar, highlighted how these spikes disrupt student life. “As students on a fixed allowance, every rupee matters. We already carpool to save money. A three-rupee jump in one day means we have to cut down on other essentials just to afford the ride to campus,” he added. Impact on logistics and street vendors: The ripple effect of the fuel hike is already causing distress among small businesses and delivery executives. Ramesh, who operates a loading auto-rickshaw near Board Office Square, expressed deep worry over shrinking profit margins. “We are at the bottom of the food chain. I can’t immediately ask my clients for more fare, but the petrol pump won’t give me fuel at yesterday’s price. If fuel costs keep rising like this, especially with rates reaching 109, we are left with significantly less to take home to our families,” Ramesh lamented.