As trucker drivers’ protest continues, causing concerns of fuel shortages, several states and cities have reassured the public that they have adequate fuel stock and urged them not to panic buy. Reports on Tuesday revealed that approximately 2,000 petrol pumps in western and northern India ran out of fuel stocks as the strike by some truckers’ associations entered its second day. However, officials from various states provided clarifications regarding the availability of petrol and diesel, alleviating concerns.
An official from Punjab stated that there was no need for panic as there is sufficient stock of petrol and diesel in the state. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, the Home Secretary of Punjab, revealed that the stock of petrol across various petrol pumps is approximately 22,600 KL, with a daily consumption of about 4,100 KL. Moreover, the stock of diesel at filling stations is currently over 30,000 KL, while 90,000 KL is available at terminals.
Similarly, Hoshiarpur District Collector, Komal Mittal, confirmed that there is no shortage of fuel, as the head of the Petrol Pumps Association assured her that the truckers’ union strike would soon end. She mentioned that all the 240 pumps in the district will be refilled by the end of the day. In the Jammu and Kashmir region, Divisional Commissioner VK Bidhuri stated that the depots in the Valley possess a stock of 21 days’ worth of diesel, 24 days’ worth of petrol, and more than 20 days’ worth of LPG, ensuring an ample supply.
In Raigarh, Collector Kartikeya Goel assured the residents that there is no scarcity of essential items, including petrol and diesel, and encouraged them to disregard misleading messages circulating on WhatsApp. Bhopal Collector Ashish Singh acknowledged a six to eight-hour disruption in the supply of petroleum products but emphasized that measures were taken to address the shortage, ensuring no petrol pump suffered from a shortage. The continuous supply of petrol and diesel was reiterated by Indore Collector Ilayaraja T and several other district collectors from Rewa, Alirajpur, Anuppur, Shahdol, and Narmadapuram.
While the situation remains under control in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu cautioned that the availability of petrol and diesel could worsen if the strike continues. Concerns were raised by taxi drivers and residents in Manali regarding the limited availability of petrol and diesel, with one driver confirming their inability to find petrol at any petrol pump.
Overall, amidst the ongoing trucker drivers’ protest, several states and cities have assuaged fears of fuel shortages by affirming that they possess adequate petrol and diesel stock. The officials have called for calm and discouraged panic buying, urging the public to trust in the consistent flow of petroleum to the terminals and distribution centers.
