Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Private Fuel Retailers Limit Diesel Sales as Crude Prices Surge
Some private fuel stations in India are limiting how much diesel each customer can buy.
Jio-BP outlets have reportedly set a limit of 50 litres for some customers.
Nayara Energy stations are reportedly allowing between 70 and 200 litres per transaction.
These limits may make refueling harder for trucks and other vehicles that travel long distances.
The problem may be more noticeable in remote areas with fewer fuel stations.
Government-owned fuel companies say they are still selling petrol and diesel normally.
These companies operate most of India’s fuel stations, so there is not currently a nationwide diesel shortage.
Crude oil has become much more expensive because of conflict and supply disruptions.
Fuel companies are under pressure because domestic petrol and diesel prices have not increased as quickly as their costs.
Some Jio-BP outlets reportedly limit diesel purchases to 50 litres per customer.
Nayara Energy outlets reportedly cap single diesel transactions between 70 and 200 litres.
Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation continue unrestricted fuel sales.
India’s crude basket reached $117.4 per barrel on September 21, versus about $66 in 2025-26.
ICRA estimates oil marketing companies are losing about ₹9 per litre on diesel and ₹8 on petrol.
- Who
- Jio-BP and Nayara Energy have reportedly restricted diesel purchases at some outlets, while Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation continue normal sales.
- What
- Selected private fuel stations have imposed diesel transaction or daily sales limits amid rising crude oil costs.
- When
- The restrictions were reported amid elevated crude prices; India’s crude basket reached $117.4 per barrel on September 21.
- Where
- At select fuel stations in India, particularly potentially affected remote locations.
- Why
- Higher crude prices and supply disruptions have increased fuel companies’ costs while domestic petrol and diesel prices have not risen proportionally.
Private-Sector Restrictions
Public-Sector Continuity
How fuel is being sold
Private-Sector Restrictions
Jio-BP and Nayara Energy have reportedly limited diesel purchases at selected outlets to manage pressure from higher crude costs.
Public-Sector Continuity
Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation say they continue selling petrol and diesel without such limits.
Meaning for supply
Private-Sector Restrictions
The restrictions could affect long-distance commercial vehicles and customers in remote areas where stations are sparse.
Public-Sector Continuity
Because state-owned companies operate around 90% of India’s fuel stations, the measures do not currently indicate a nationwide diesel shortage.
- Jio-BP limit
- Several outlets reportedly restrict diesel purchases to 50 litres per customer.
- Nayara Energy limit
- Reported single-transaction limits range from 70 litres to 200 litres.
- Public-sector sales
- Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation say they continue unrestricted petrol and diesel sales.
- Market coverage
- The three state-owned oil marketing companies operate around 90% of India’s more than one lakh fuel stations.
- Crude price
- India’s crude basket rose to $117.4 per barrel on September 21, compared with about $66 in 2025-26.
- Estimated losses
- ICRA estimates losses of approximately ₹9 per litre on diesel and ₹8 per litre on petrol.
- Supply disruption
- Saudi Aramco reportedly halted crude supplies to Indian refiners until further notice after attacks on its East-West pipeline.