Petrol shortage hits Bangalore

Bangalore, July 2 (UNI) Vehicle owners in the city, which boast for having highest number of two wheelers in the country, were put to great hardship as supply of regular quality petrol went out of sale while long queues piled up in the petrol pumps due to a shortage.

Sources said the oil companies had stopped supply of regular quality petrol, while the stock of diesel was progressively running short.

Karnataka Petroleum Dealers Association President Bhushan Narang told UNI that the oil companies were unable to source enough supply to the city. Shortage was also being experienced in some other parts of the state, he said.

"There is a serious fuel shortage of petrol and the situation may get worse in the next one to two weeks. Right now there is shortage of regular petrol and diesel and the stock may run out completely shortly," he said.

A top official of state-owned oil companies like Indian Oil Corproation when contacted refused to comment on the shortage in supply of petroleum.

Most of the petrol bunks in the city have put up the board of non availability of regular petrol and diesel and were selling only the premium variety. Long queues of cars, which is not a common sight, were seen since this morning and the situation did not ease till tonight.

Sources said the oil companies which have suffered huge losses in the wake of the high surge in crude prices were trying to push their premium brands to make up the losses.

They had submitted a proposal to the centre on their intention of selling more premium variety of petrol and diesel to make up the losses. The losses had continued despite the hike effected in petro prices effected by the Centre.

Meanwhile in Gulbarga the petrol dealers went on strike today demanding the state government to reduce local taxes on petroleum products.

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