India's fuel consumption recorded a fall of nearly 46 percent in April, as all petroleum products saw a drop in demand because of the ongoing nationwide lockdown that was imposed to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, officials said on Sunday.
Data released by Petroleum and Planning Analysis Cell of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the fuel consumption in India fell 45.8 percent from 18.32 million tonnes fuel consumed in April 2019 to 9.93 million tonnes consumed in April this year.
The officials have observed the drop in 12 categories of fuels used in the country.
According to the government data, fuel consumption during March this year stood at 16.08 million tonnes.
The fuel demand plunged in the last week of March after the government announced the lockdown, which resulted in the suspension of travel and economic activity.
Experts said the demand is likely to pick in May as the government had announced some relaxations and will pick further if restrictions are eased further after May 17.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown beginning March 25, which has been extended twice and is likely to end on May 17.
In the absence of a vaccine to counter COVID-19, the government mostly banks on the lockdown to break the chain of transmission of the virus.
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