The recent hike in petrol prices has affected a lot of people. Paying over Rs 80.73 per litre of petrol and Rs 72.83 per litre for diesel. Among the most hit are students who commute to college on their own vehicles. And without the pocket money to cover the expenses of filling up their vehicles, these youngsters are bike-pooling, taking the public and private transport and even walking to their colleges.
Charles Joshua who has to travels over 40 kms everyday just to get to colleges feels that it is the students who are most hit with this hike. He adds, “What’s worse is that, pocket money too has stayed the same. Before the hike, I used to spend over Rs 700 per week. But now I am spending close Rs 1000 a week only for petrol. I spent almost an hour yesterday in a petrol bunk to get the bike filled up. My friends and I have started bike-pooling where we pick each other up on the way to college. But still it has become hard. All the plans to go out during the weekend too has been put on hold.”
Sanjay Leonard’s social work has him travelling extensively for it, making his petrol bills go through the roof. He says, “With no increase in pocket money, I have to shell out Rs 300 per week for petrol after the hike. Although I don’t have to travel much from home to college, I do have go out due to my course. I’m doing a bachelors in social work that requires that I go out to various places for social work. Due to the hike in prices, I am not able to go anywhere for this.
I now find it much more economical to just walk to class.”
Emerald Aernet Bhaskar who is also doings B.SW spends quite a lot on petrol. He adds, “This course has me going out to many villages to do social work. On an average to go to college, I spend Rs 2500 per week and over Rs 8000 if I have to go out for an assignment. Every time any social work comes up,
I go with my friends so that we can divide the cost of filling up petrol.”
Weekends were the only time for students to rewind and relax, now all the plans have to be cancelled. Libin Thomas adds, “Due this hike, I easily spend over Rs 300 per week for petrol. All my plans for the weekend had to be cancelled due the hike. Now my only choice is to use private transport which is also hard to get. After the hike, I prefer walking to class rather than taking my bike out. My friends and I have resorted to sharing the bikes now-a-days.”
