Pune: Petrol price, which peaked at Rs 90.10 per litre on Monday, has sent shockwaves through the city. While some citizens are contemplating giving up driving, others are thinking of ways to factor in the fuel price rise in their monthly budget.Roughly two decades ago, when Vimal Solanki started driving, a litre of petrol was available for Rs 18. At that time, Solanki thought the price was high. Today, he would happily trade places with his younger self. “I started driving 20-22 years ago. Petrol was sold for Rs 18. Even that was expensive, but it was nothing compared to the prices today. I have stopped driving and rely on cabs for commute now,” he said.For many, giving up personal vehicles is not an option.Businessman Sandip Sutar plans on cutting down other expenses. “As my work requires me to visit various places in the city, I really cannot do without a personal vehicle. I will have to spend less on other things to compensate for fuel price rise,” he said. Sutar too remembers petrol being more affordable years ago. “About 20 years ago, fuel was priced at less than half the cost today. I hope the prices come down, but the chances are slim,” he said.Prashant Saple in on the same boat. “The fuel price is eating into my monthly budget. I am in the food business and have to shuttle between two of my outlets multiple times a day. I often make four trips. Now I have to plan better and limit the number of trips,” he said.Prasanna Revankar started driving more recently — in 2010, when the petrol price was between Rs 52 and Rs 55 per litre. In less than eight years, prices have breached the Rs 90-mark. “If the prices go on increasing at this rate, petrol will be available for Rs 100 a litre soon. Thankfully, I use compressed natural gas (CNG), which is cheaper, in my personal vehicle. I can’t afford to reduce the use of my vehicle as I have to travel to my manufacturing unit in Khed Shivapur,” he said.Students, who are on a budget, are hit the hardest. In a city where public transport is not reliable, many students use two-wheelers to commute to and from college. Sarthak Khandge, an AISSMS student, said, “Neither my friends nor I have the option of ditching personal vehicles.”Few have resigned themselves to the situation. “Petrol is an essential commodity. People may grumble and complain, but at the end of the day, they will have to pay up. I have stopped keeping tabs on prices,” said Kondhwa resident Jefferey Byrd.

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