Reflecting the hardening of international crude prices, oil companies on Sunday announced a hike in petrol and diesel prices, effective Sunday midnight.

As per the new prices, hiked for the first time since March, petrol would cost Rs 32.40 per litre in Delhi, Rs 37.42 in Bombay, Rs 35.39 in Chennai and Rs 35.26 in Calcutta.

Likewise consumers would have to pay higher prices for diesel at Rs 20.33 per litre in Delhi, Rs 25.75 in Mumbai, Rs 22.67 in Chennai and Rs 22.53 in Calcutta.

The national oil companies - IOC, HPCL, BPCL – jointly hiked the prices saying it had become inevitable due to increase in international crude prices amidst reports that the United States's inventory of oil had come down significantly.