New Delhi, May 7 -- India witnessed a 6.1 percent year-on-year increase in fuel consumption, according to data released by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the Oil Ministry.

As the worlds third-largest oil importer and consumer, this data is a key indicator of the countrys oil demand.

Total consumption reached 19.86 million metric tons (equivalent to 4.85 million barrels per day) in April, up from 18.71 million tons recorded the previous year.

However, there was a 5.8 percent decrease in demand compared to March, which saw consumption totalling 21.09 million metric tons.

Diesel sales, primarily used to operate trucks and commercially run passenger vehicles, experienced a 1.4 percent year-on-year increase to 7.93 million ton...