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Petrol pump strike: The ongoing protests by truck drivers against the new hit-and-run provision have triggered a wave of panic buying among two-wheelers and four-wheeler riders in Maharashtra and Punjab. This reaction follows the fear of potential fuel shortages, prompting long queues outside petrol pumps in various cities, including Nagpur, Thane, Jalgaon, and Dhulia in Maharashtra. Visuals of people patiently waiting to fill their vehicle tanks have become common.
Local police have been actively involved in managing the situation, rushing to the sites and clearing blockades, as seen in Nagpur. Despite efforts to maintain order, some petrol pumps in Nagpur district have already run out of stock. Managers at these pumps express concern and suggest the possibility of displaying “No Petrol” signs if the situation persists.
Nashik, another city in Maharashtra, witnessed a significant impact on fuel availability as tanker drivers stopped work and parked over 1,000 vehicles in Panewadi village, home to fuel depots. This move further exacerbated the challenges of fuel availability, prompting concerns from the Nashik District Petrol Dealers Association about potential widespread dry-ups if the truckers’ agitation continues.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Long queues at petrol pumps in Dharamshala as Transport Association, drivers protest against new law on hit and run cases. pic.twitter.com/OWHvqXrTwS
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2024
In Thane, drivers blocked traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway, resulting in confrontations with the police. These incidents indicate the broader disruptions caused by the protests, affecting not only fuel availability but also causing public disturbances and clashes between drivers and law enforcement.
Punjab has also faced fuel shortages, particularly in Amritsar, where almost all petrol pumps ran out of fuel due to panic buying amid ongoing strikes by truck drivers. Locals express the need for a resolution between the government and truck associations to address the issues, emphasizing the importance of finding a balanced solution to ensure a steady fuel supply for the public.
The situation raises broader concerns about fuel availability and the need for swift resolutions. The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), replacing the Indian Penal Code, imposes severe penalties on drivers causing serious accidents and fleeing the scene under negligence, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison or a ₹7 lakh fine. As the protests continue, there is a growing call for a balanced and timely resolution to ease tensions and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for the public.
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