Fares and commodity prices in the State have risen sharply due to the increase in LPG commercial cylinder, diesel, and petrol costs. As a result, hotel owners, pushcart vendors, and fast-food centres have raised the prices of tiffins, meals, and snacks. Meanwhile, auto drivers have begun demanding higher fares, adding to the burden on the poor and the general public.

The price of a 19-kg LPG commercial cylinder is about ₹3,000; the cost of diesel is ₹100 per litre, and the price of petrol is ₹112 per litre, following the price increases for the second time on Tuesday (May 19, 2026).

Pushcart vendors and small hoteliers selling tiffins such as idly, puri, dosa, vada, bajji, and other varieties are now charging ₹50 and above for a plate. “We used to buy idly at ₹30 per plate ten days ago. Now, the minimum price for all tiffins is ₹50. The cost of puri, dosa, and other varieties has crossed ₹70 at some hotels,” said a student, V. Hitesh, in Vijayawada.

Speaking to The Hindu, T. Saranya, who attends a coaching centre for competitive examinations, said that the cost of vegetarian meals is ₹120 and above in a mess. In hotels and restaurants, the price of meals has increased to ₹180 and above.

“We can’t get tiffin at ₹30 even at the roadside hotels and pushcarts. Prices of tiffins, meals, and snacks have increased by 50 to 100 per cent in the last 15 days,” a private employee, K. Viswanath, of Machilipatnam said.

Hotel and the pushcart owners said due to the increase in fuel and LPG commercial gas prices, they were forced forced to increase the rates of tiffins, meals and snacks.

Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association (ASHA) president R.V. Swamy said association members will meet the Tourism Minister and the officials concerned on May 20 at the A.P. Secretariat on the hike in fuel prices and other issues.

Meanwhile, the public has also raised concerns about auto drivers demanding higher fares. They stated that they are now forced to pay ₹30 from the bus stand and railway station to the Collectorate, which was ₹20 earlier, in NTR District.

“Transportation fares increased because the prices of diesel and petrol increased twice in five days,” an auto driver Adinarayana said.