The LDF and BJP gave separate calls for dawn-to-dusk hartal tomorrow to protest the decision and demanded roll-back of the hike.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the Centre should have avoided the hike and wanted at least partial withdrawal of the increase.
"If it is difficult to completely roll back the increase, the Centre should at least reduce the hike," Chandy said in Kochi.
The LDF leaders said the hike amounted to a "declaration of war on people."
In many parts of the state, youth outfits of CPI(M), CPI and BJP took out protest marches immediately after the decision was announced.
Associations of bus and truck operators demanded hike in fares holding that they would not able to maintain their operations at the current rates in the wake of the diesel price hike.
