Daijiworld Media Network – Karwar (MS)

Karwar, Jul 25: Vehicle owners in Karwar are increasingly flocking to petrol pumps at the Karnataka-Goa border for cheaper fuel, leading to long queues.

Currently, petrol in Goa costs Rs 99 per liter, which is Rs 5 cheaper than the Rs 104 per litre price tag in Karwar. Diesel also comes at a discounted rate in Goa, priced at Rs 88.07 per litre compared to Rs 90.57 in Karwar.

Truck drivers and other vehicle owners are making the 15-km journey to Goa to take advantage of these savings. According to Prashant, an employee at a Karwar petrol pump, "On the Goa border, most vehicle owners get their tanks filled with petrol as it is cheaper there. After the recent hike in fuel prices in Karnataka, petrol pumps in Karwar have suffered losses as most customers head to the Goa border."

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Sunil, a vehicle owner, emphasised the financial benefit of purchasing fuel in Goa, stating, "We can save up to Rs 5 a litre if we get our vehicle filled with petrol at Goa border. In Karnataka, we have to pay Rs 104.49 while in Goa, if we buy 11 liters of petrol, one litre comes free."

Amar Kotarkar from Ponda, Goa, pointed out the considerable price difference between the two states, saying, "Prices of fuel in Goa and Karnataka have a difference of Rs 15. So customers are making good use of it."

Mahesh Ratnakar Nayak, an employee at a Goa petrol pump, confirmed the influx of vehicles from Karnataka, emphasising the economic impact of the price differential.