AGARTALA, March 2 (TIWN): With the drop in the petrol price by Rs 3.02 per litre, and hike in diesel rates by Rs 1.47 a litre on Monday is expected to lead to petrol crisis in the state.

It is to be mentioned here that Petrol price was cut by Rs 3.02 per litre, but diesel rates were hiked by Rs 1.47 a litre.

Petrol will now cost Rs 56.61 per litre from midnight Monday night as against Rs 59.63.

A litre of diesel, however, will cost Rs 46.43 a litre as compared to Rs 44.96 per litre, according to Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation's largest fuel retailer. This is the 7th straight reduction in price of petrol. Petrol price was last cut on February 18 by 32 paisa a litre. On diesel, this is the second increase in rate this month. The price was hiked by 28 paisa a litre last time.

The state is already suffering with prolonged petrol crisis.  It seems like to get petrol from any of the petrol pump has become a challenge and a matter of patience as the riders had to wait for prolonged many hours. Besides, the situation has lead the black marketing of petrol flourished in the area and the common mass are bound to buy petrol with higher rates. It is to be mentioned here that taking advantage of the situation the petrol dealers of the State were emerging in a new trend to earn more money through black marketing which causes artificial petrol crisis in the State.

Due to the fuel crisis, fewer numbers of public and private vehicles are plying on the roads making it a tough time for the commuters in the landlocked state.

Fuel crisis continues to suffer the state despite arrival of petrol tankers from Guwahati. Five out of six major petrol pumps of Agartala city were found hanging ‘No Petrol’ notices since this morning.