Nagpur: A sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices has raised concerns over broader inflationary pressure on household budgets, with the increase expected to ripple across Nagpur’s transport and essential services sector and push up costs for freight operators, school transporters, milk suppliers, and auto-rickshaw drivers.Petrol in the city rose to ₹107.13 per litre and diesel to ₹93.67 per litre on Friday after a ₹3 per litre hike. With the revised rates, power petrol is priced at ₹116.85 per litre, said MS Lamba, proprietor of a petrol pump in the city.The increase has already triggered warnings of higher transport charges when schools reopen next month. Afsar Khan, president of the School Van Owners Association, said operators have little option but to revise fees, with uncertainty over further price escalation adding to concerns.The freight sector is bracing for an estimated 25% rise in operating costs. Kukku Marwah of Nagpur Truckers Unity said freight movement from the city has already declined by nearly 50% over the past two months amid global tensions. He added that transportation costs are expected to rise significantly. “Transportation cost of a 30-tonne consignment to Chennai is likely to increase from ₹30,000 to ₹38,000. Many operators are struggling to service vehicle loans and may be forced to park their fleets if costs continue to rise,” he said.Essential commodities are also likely to be affected. Amul and Mother Dairy have announced a ₹2 per litre increase in milk prices, effective Thursday. Mother Dairy full cream milk will now cost ₹72 per litre, while buffalo milk will be priced at ₹80 per litre. Open milk prices are also expected to rise.Auto-rickshaw drivers have demanded a fare revision, citing higher fuel costs. Charandas Wankhede, general secretary of the Nagpur District Auto Chalak-Malik Mahasangh, said auto LPG has reached ₹120 per kg and the current fare of ₹18 per kilometre is no longer sustainable. He proposed an increase to ₹22 per kilometre.
