Lucknow Petrol Pumps Grapple with Fuel Scarcity Amid Ongoing Truckers Strike

Lucknow and other districts in Uttar Pradesh are facing fuel shortages as a result of a truckers strike against the new hit-and-run legislation. The strike has disrupted fresh fuel supplies, causing long lines at petrol pumps and raising concerns about potential shortages.

Lucknow, January 2: Fuel supply was severely affected at petrol pumps in Lucknow and other districts of Uttar Pradesh as the strike by truckers against the new law on hit-and-run cases entered its second day on Tuesday.

Petrol Pumps Running Out of Fuel

According to Dayashankar Singh, president of Petrol Diesel Association, Lucknow, and vice president of UP Petrol Traders Association, there are high chances that the stored fuel at petrol pumps will be exhausted by Wednesday afternoon. Long queues were witnessed at petrol pumps, and commuters were seen waiting for long durations at busy intersections in Lucknow.

Transporters' Strike Disrupts Supply

Singh explained that fresh supply at petrol pumps has been stopped since yesterday due to the transporters' strike. The tankers that supply petrol and diesel to the petrol pumps are also affected, leading to a disruption in the supply chain.

High-Demand Outlets Facing Shortages

Singh further stated that fuel stored in petrol pumps is being used till now, but outlets with high sales are either already short of fuel or are likely to run out of stored petrol/diesel soon. Customers can be seen standing in queues wherever fuel is available, and if no alternative arrangements are made, there will be a shortage.

Truckers Protest Stringent Hit-and-Run Law

The three-day strike by truck, bus, and tanker operators began on Monday in protest against the stringent jail and fine regulations under the new criminal law Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita BNS for hit-and-run cases. The new law, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, provides for a jail of up to 10 years and/or a fine of Rs 7 lakh for serious road accidents due to negligent driving and where drivers run away without informing the police.