New Delhi, July 24 Oil marketing companies kept the retail prices of petrol and diesel unchanged on Friday.
This is the fourth consecutive day when diesel prices have remained static after these were increased the previous weeks on more than two occasions.
Petrol prices, on the other hand, have been static since June 29.
With prices remaining unchanged, diesel continues to be priced at Rs 81.64 per litre in the national capital, while petrol has maintained steady levels at Rs 80.43 a litre.
Oil companies had raised diesel prices marginally by 12 paise on Monday, while keeping petrol prices unchanged. On Tuesday and Wednesday, there was no change in the retail price of the two petroleum products.
Unexpected rise in diesel prices despite slower demand has put the transport sector at a big disadvantage as rising fuel cost has further shrunk its margins.
With the hike in diesel prices, the gap between the two auto fuels has further widened in the national capital. Last month, diesel prices overtook that of petrol in the national capital, in an unprecedented development.
Along with the capital, petrol and diesel prices also remained unchanged in other metro cities as well.
In Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, petrol was sold at an unchanged price of Rs 87.19, Rs 83.63, Rs 82.10 per litre respectively. Similarly, the price of diesel in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata was unchanged at Rs 79.83, Rs 78.60 and Rs 76.77 respectively.
( With inputs from IANS )