India's petrol and diesel consumption fell in the first half of July as fury of monsoon flipped travel plans and reduced the demand in the agricultural sector, preliminary industry data showed.
Demand for diesel, the most consumed fuel in the country accounting for about two-fifths of the demand, fell 15% to 2.96 million tonnes in July 1- July 15, compared to the year-ago period.
Consumption of diesel, which had soared 6.7% and 9.3% in April and May, respectively, as agriculture demand picked up and cars yanked up air-conditioning to beat the summer heat, has tapered since the second half of June after the monsoon set in.
