Petroleum Use Dips in India

26 Jun 2024 CW Team

Aviation turbine fuel saw a remarkable 12.4% increase, reaching 0.71 million tonnes, driven by the surge in domestic and international air travel. The aviation sector is witnessing a strong recovery post-pandemic, with increased passenger traffic and more flights being operational. This upswing in ATF demand reflects the growing momentum in the travel and tourism industry, which had been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the consumption of LPG, commonly used for cooking, declined by 8.1% to 2.37 million tonnes. This drop is linked to the widespread adoption of electric cooking devices and increased urbanization, which reduces dependence on traditional cooking fuels. Similarly, naphtha usage decreased by 8.9%, while fuel oil consumption fell by 18.6%, indicating a shift in industrial fuel preferences and efficiencies.

India's overall energy landscape is in a transitional phase, with mixed trends across different fuel types. While the decrease in petroleum consumption highlights the impact of changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements, the increase in diesel and ATF usage underscores the sectors' resilience and growth. The data reflects the complex interplay of factors influencing fuel demand, from seasonal variations and economic activities to shifts in technology and consumer preferences.

In May 2024, India's overall petroleum consumption fell by 2.1% year-on-year, amounting to 19.4 million tonnes, marking the first decline since November 2021. Despite this overall decrease, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) defied the trend, showcasing significant growth. The dip in consumption is largely attributed to a decline in demand for products like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), naphtha, and fuel oil. Diesel, which constitutes about 40% of India?s refined fuel consumption, increased by 4.1% in May, reaching 7.64 million tonnes. This surge is attributed to robust demand from sectors such as agriculture, transport, and infrastructure. The monsoon season, which typically reduces diesel demand due to decreased agricultural activities, had not yet commenced, contributing to the rise. Aviation turbine fuel saw a remarkable 12.4% increase, reaching 0.71 million tonnes, driven by the surge in domestic and international air travel. The aviation sector is witnessing a strong recovery post-pandemic, with increased passenger traffic and more flights being operational. This upswing in ATF demand reflects the growing momentum in the travel and tourism industry, which had been severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the consumption of LPG, commonly used for cooking, declined by 8.1% to 2.37 million tonnes. This drop is linked to the widespread adoption of electric cooking devices and increased urbanization, which reduces dependence on traditional cooking fuels. Similarly, naphtha usage decreased by 8.9%, while fuel oil consumption fell by 18.6%, indicating a shift in industrial fuel preferences and efficiencies. India's overall energy landscape is in a transitional phase, with mixed trends across different fuel types. While the decrease in petroleum consumption highlights the impact of changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements, the increase in diesel and ATF usage underscores the sectors' resilience and growth. The data reflects the complex interplay of factors influencing fuel demand, from seasonal variations and economic activities to shifts in technology and consumer preferences.

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

Technology

13 Oct 2025

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..