Truckers Strike Triggers Panic Fuel Buying In Several States, Long Queues At Petrol Pumps

As the truck drivers' protest entered day two against the stringent punishment and steep fine prescribed for motorists under the hit-and-run provision in the new penal law, long queues are being reported at petrol pumps in various cities in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and other places.

Under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the colonial era Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause a serious road accident by negligent driving and run away without informing the police or any official from the administration can face punishment of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

The lorry drivers are protesting this provision in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. This protest led to panic buying among two-wheelers and four-wheelers resulting in long queues outside petrol pumps, according to a report in NDTV.

Maharashtra

The long queues were spotted outside petrol pumps in Nagpur, Thane, Jalgaon, and Dhulia.

Many fuel stations in the Nagpur district have already depleted their stock, with pump managers stating that if the situation persists, they might need to display a 'No Petrol' sign. Meanwhile, in Nashik, tanker drivers ceased operations and parked over 1,000 vehicles in Panewadi village, where fuel depots are located, on Monday.

Three petrol bunks have shut in Thane. As per Nashik District Petrol Dealers Association, many fuel stations will run out of petrol and diesel if the protests are not called off.

"Petrol was supplied to 150 petrol pumps in Mumbai last night. However, due to panic buying people are buying more petrol than what is required, making it difficult to maintain the stock of petrol. It will be difficult if there is no supply of petrol in the coming days," PTI quoted Keyur Parikh, Mumbai's Petrol Pump Association dealer, as saying.

Meanwhile, an association of petrol pump dealers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has said that the fuel pumps in the district may go dry by tomorrow if the situation does not normalise.

"Drivers of tankers that carry fuel from Panewadi have called for agitation and have stopped filling fuel. Around 900 to 1,200 tankers carry fuel from depots of oil companies and transport it to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Dhule, Jalgaon and other districts," Aqeel Abbas Secretary of Petroleum Dealers Association told PTI.

On the other hand, the Maharashtra government's Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Protection Department on Monday requested police to ensure smooth and uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders in the market.

The department has written to all police commissioners and superintendents of police expressing concern about the stir and its effect on the supply of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders.

The state-level coordinator (oil industry), Maharashtra had requested the Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Protection department to intervene to resolve the ongoing impasse as truck drivers and petroleum product transporters were on strike in front of the Mumbai refinery on Monday, officials told PTI.

Other Cities Facing The Heat

Protests extended to various parts of Rajasthan, causing traffic congestion on key highway routes such as the Dholpur-Karauli route, Udaipur-Nathdwara route, Sawai Madhopur-Kota Lalsot route, Bhilwara-Ajmer route, and Anupgarh-Ganganagar.

Likewise, long queues at petrol pumps are reported in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh and Gujarat as well.