A nationwide protest by truckers against the newly proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has triggered a crisis in the fuel supply chain across India. The upheaval stems from the provision within the law that penalizes drivers with up to 10 years of imprisonment in hit-and-run cases. As truckers voice concerns over the severity of consequences, fuel pumps in various regions, especially in remote areas and hill stations, are grappling with dwindling stocks or complete dry-outs.
A survey conducted across the country highlights the disparate impact, with major cities like Mumbai and New Delhi maintaining some semblance of regular fuel sales, albeit with affected supplies. However, smaller towns and rural areas bear the brunt of the strike, facing acute shortages due to the disruption in transporting fuel by trucks and tankers.
Drivers, advocating against what they perceive as a lopsided and harsh law, express fear of facing angry mobs or retaliation in the event of an accident. Anonymously, a driver of an oil tanker highlighted the quandary faced by drivers, torn between risking mob anger by staying at the accident site or facing severe penalties by fleeing.
Reports reveal stranded oil tankers in various locations, with drivers either protesting the law or fearing repercussions from fellow protestors. This has immobilized the transportation of fuels from refiners’ depots, exacerbating the scarcity of fuel in several areas. Instances in Mumbai, Thane, Ulhasnagar, and the Delhi-Meerut highway underscore the extent of the crisis, with pumps running dry due to drivers’ reluctance or refusal to operate tankers.
The domino effect is evident, with a Maharashtra-based pump dealer citing the refusal of drivers to operate their tankers, leading to imminent shortages even in areas initially unaffected. Similar sentiments echo from a Delhi-based dealer who foresaw the crisis and stocked up on fuel while hoping for intervention from oil marketing companies to mitigate the impact.
Efforts to seek clarification or resolution from state-run oil refiners and the petroleum ministry have yet to yield responses, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over potential solutions or interventions to alleviate the situation. The three major public sector firms controlling the lion’s share of India’s fuel retail market – Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) – remain silent amid the crisis.
Dealers in regions like Chandigarh warn of escalating tensions as protests escalate and impede the movement of oil tankers, exacerbating the situation post-panic buying by consumers.
As the standoff between truckers and authorities continues, concerns mount over the cascading impact on essential services and daily life. The nation waits for a resolution, hoping to avert a deepening crisis in the fuel supply that could cripple various sectors and communities across the country.
Sourrces By Agencies
