In fact, diesel prices in all cities of Himachal Pradesh are not the same. There exists a slight variation because of the commission charged by dealers. It is ideal to consider at least three prime cities in Himachal Pradesh to make a comprehensive analysis of diesel prices in the state. In Shimla, the capital city of the state, the price of diesel on 9 November 2017 was Rs.58.48 per litre. On the same date, in Solan, the biggest Municipal Council of the state, the fuel price was Rs.58.07 per litre. In Dharamsala, the second winter capital of the state, the fuel was sold at Rs.59.11 per litre.
Historical Diesel Prices in Shimla, Solan and Dharamsala
In Shimla, the diesel price in Shimla has been moving in an upward trend since the beginning of November 2017. In October 2017, the fuel price reduced to Rs.57.90 per litre on the closing day from Rs.59.11 per litre. In September 2017, the fuel was sold at Rs.57.33 per litre on an opening day. In Solan, during the first week of November 2017, the average price of diesel was Rs.58 per litre. During the same period, the average diesel price was above Rs.58.00 per litre in Dharamsala.
How are Diesel Price in Himachal Pradesh Revised?
Himachal Pradesh has a good network of diesel stations scattered across all parts of the state. A majority of fuel stations are non-automated and will revise fuel prices manually. All automated petrol stations will revise fuel prices automatically. The price revision is done at 06:00 a.m. every day. Consumers can trace the latest price by downloading the mobile applications created by oil marketing companies or by SMS alerts.
Advantages of Dynamic Fuel Pricing
- The system entrusts 100% fuel transparency.
- Inventory management will now be easier for dealers.
- The working capital can be well managed.
- The Indian fuel retailing sector can be linked to global markets.
- The daily variations in crude oil rates and the INR/USD are passed on to end customers.
Quarterly Diesel Price Trend In Himachal Pradesh Between January 2018 And March 2018
| January | February | March | |
| Opening date price | Rs.59.42 per litre | Rs.63.74 per litre | Rs.61.98 per litre |
| Closing date price | Rs.63.65 per litre | Rs.61.81 per litre | Rs.64.05 per litre |
| Highest price | Rs.63.65 per litre on 31st | Rs.63.85 per litre on 6th and 7th | Rs.64.05 per litre on 31st |
| Lowest price | Rs.59.42 per litre on 1st | Rs.61.80 per litre on 25th | Rs.61.98 per litre on 1st |
| Trend | Upward | Downward | Upward |
| % Change | +7.11% | -3.02% | +3.34% |
Diesel Price Trend In Himachal Pradesh In January 2018
- Himachal Pradesh recorded its lowest diesel price for the month at Rs.59.42 per litre on 1st January.
- Diesel price grew at 1% during the first week in Shimla, Solan and Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh triggered by the fall in the value of the USD over the INR as well as due to the depreciation of the crude oil price in the global market.
- In tandem with the fall in the USD and the increase in the Indian Crude Oil Basket rate, prices of diesel continued to rise over the month.
- In the last week, global demand for crude oil rose which led to an increase in fuel prices in India. Himachal Pradesh recorded its highest diesel price for the month at Rs.63.65 per litre on 31st January.
- Prices of diesel reflected an upward trend at 7.11% in January 2018, attributed to the depreciating dollar and an increase in the prices of unrefined oil in the international market.
Diesel Price Trend In Himachal Pradesh In February 2018
- The price for a litre of diesel in Himachal Pradesh on 1st February stood at Rs.63.74, a slight increase over the previous day.
- Despite the unveiling the Union Budget for fiscal 2018-19, a key factor in determining taxes on fuel rates, diesel prices remained unaffected as there was no change in the tax rates for fuels.
- On the 6th and 7th February, prices of diesel in Himachal Pradesh recorded its highest at Rs.63.85 per litre largely due to the increase in global crude oil prices.
- From the third week onwards, fuel prices continued to spiral downwards recording their lowest price of Rs.61.80 per litre on 25th.
- The reduction in diesel price was influenced by the fall in the Indian Crude Oil Basket rate by 7.67% from the period between 14th and 26th. The appreciation of the USD too had its impact on the decline of fuel prices.
- Overall, diesel price trend in Himachal Pradesh fell by 3.02% for the month triggered by the sliding global crude oil price in the global market.
Diesel Price Trend In Himachal Pradesh In March 2018
- On 1st March, the price for a litre of diesel stood at Rs.61.98 in Himachal Pradesh, the lowest of the month.
- Diesel prices in Himachal Pradesh remained stable since there was no significant change in the global crude oil price – the pattern of the demand and supply of the commodity, and the USD/ INR exchange ratio.
- By the end of the third week, fuel prices increased by as much as 1.79% compared to the opening day price.
- With the decrease in the value of the USD and the increase in unrefined oil price in the global market, diesel prices rose to post the highest price at Rs.73.07 per litre on 31st March.
- In March, diesel price witnessed an upward trend at 3.34% attributed to the rise in global crude oil price and the reduction in the value of the USD.