LONG QUEUES AT PETROL PUMPS

LONG QUEUES AT PETROL PUMPS

24-MAY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

SASARAM----------------------------The fuel crisis in the district has been deepening in recent days. Following a shortage of cooking gas, the scarcity of petrol and diesel has now compounded the difficulties faced by the general public. Diesel stocks have completely run out at several petrol pumps across the district, while the availability of petrol has also become limited in certain areas. The situation is such that customers at many pumps are being forced to turn back after encountering "Diesel Not Available" signboards. The situation is reported to be particularly severe in various parts of the district, especially at petrol pumps situated along the highways. Due to the fuel shortage, motorists are compelled to wait for hours in long queues. Many individuals are forced to wander from one petrol pump to another in search of fuel. According to sources, given the limited supply, a system has been implemented to provide only a restricted quantity of petrol and diesel to each vehicle. It is reported that each vehicle is currently being supplied with a maximum of ₹500 worth of petrol and up to ₹2,000 worth of diesel, in an effort to ensure that fuel reaches the widest possible number of people. This measure is having the most significant impact on trucks, buses, and commercial freight vehicles undertaking long-distance journeys. Drivers are no longer able to fill their tanks to capacity, forcing them to face the recurring inconvenience of having to refuel multiple times while en route.

Petrol pump operators state that while they previously received adequate fuel supplies at regular intervals, there has now been a drastic reduction in supply. Whereas large tankers used to arrive several times a week in the past, supplies are now arriving only in limited quantities. Consequently, many pumps have curtailed their operating hours, and a number of pumps are remaining closed during the night.

The impact of this crisis is not limited solely to the transportation sector; it has also begun to affect employment. Petrol pumps operating within the district are reducing their staff numbers. Many pumps are currently operating with limited resources, and the shifts of employees working during the night have also been curtailed. Meanwhile, the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices has further exacerbated the anxieties of the general public. Motorists are facing a double blow due to high fuel prices and limited availability. The greatest concern is being observed among farmers. Amidst preparations for the monsoon season, the time for tilling and sowing the fields is fast approaching. Tractors and diesel-powered machinery play a pivotal role in agricultural operations. Farmers warn that if fuel supplies are not normalized soon, farming activities could be disrupted, and this could subsequently impact agricultural production. In light of the escalating fuel crisis in the district, residents are now urging the administration and oil companies to restore normalcy to the situation without delay. People caution that if a solution is not found in a timely manner, the problem could take on an even more severe form in the days to come.