As the nationwide truck drivers’ strike continues to grip the country, Punjab also found itself at the epicenter of a burgeoning fuel crisis — triggering panic buying and long queues outside petrol pumps across the State. The strike has left an estimated one lakh trucks, private buses, and tankers off the road, significantly impacting supplies.
The agitation, now in its second day, stems from the truck drivers’ vehement opposition to the severe penalties imposed under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for hit-and-run incidents. The repercussions of this strike are reverberating across the state, impacting approximately 3,800 filling stations and leaving citizens in a state of uncertainty about fuel availability.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), enacted to ensure accountability in road safety, imposes stringent penalties on drivers who cause serious accidents due to negligence and flee the scene without informing authorities. Under this new law, violators can face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs seven lakh. The truck drivers' strike, initiated on December 31, has led to disruptions in the fuel supply chain, exacerbating concerns about fuel shortages.
In response to the growing crisis, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday directed the officials to hold a high-level meeting involving senior state and district officials to assess and manage the distribution of petrol and diesel in the State. Punjab’s Home Secretary-cum-Secretary of Food and Civil Supplies Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, sharing critical details of the meeting, attempted to assuage the public concerns by emphasizing that there was “no need for panic”, as Punjab has ample stocks of petrol and diesel to meet the current demand. The meeting was also attended by the state DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla.
Singh informed that against a daily consumption of about 4,100 kilo litres of petrol, the stock in various pumps across the State is approximately 22,600 kilo litres. Similarly, for diesel, with a daily consumption of around 10,000 kilo litres, filling stations currently hold more than 30,000 kilo litres, and an additional 90,000 kilo litres are available at various terminals.
To allay fears, Singh highlighted that all terminals are interconnected through pipelines with refineries, ensuring a continuous flow of petroleum products. However, he acknowledged the non-uniform distribution of stock among filling stations at any given time. Despite certain stations reporting zero stock, others maintain full supplies, emphasizing that the stock position of a few stations should not be extrapolated to reflect the overall state of fuel stocks in Punjab, he added.
During the high-level meeting, district officials received directives to ensure the smooth movement of petrol and diesel trucks across the State. They have also been directed to continue making efforts to engage with striking transporters to address their grievances.
As per information available, the State Government, in an additional step to mitigate the crisis, has asked the Deputy Commissioners to issue directives at the district level to oil company officials, urging them to reserve 1000 liters of diesel and 500 liters of petrol at each pump.
The police have also been instructed to maintain vigilance and facilitate the uninterrupted sale and movement of fuel.
Senior officers from major oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), assured the State Government of their commitment to ensuring an adequate supply of petrol, diesel, and LPG.
Crucially, Singh reiterated the Government's plea to citizens not to panic. Despite the challenges, the State Government remains steadfast in its assurance that Punjab has sufficient stock to meet the current and future demand for petrol and diesel.
3800 Filling Station Impacted In Punjab
Despite the reassurances from the Government and oil companies, the impact of the truck drivers’ strike on fuel availability has been acutely felt by citizens. Punjab Petroleum Association general secretary Manjeet Singh maintained that all 3,800 filling stations in the State have been affected. The last fuel supply arrived on December 30, and with the ongoing strike, pumps are running dry, causing significant disruption. Mohali Petrol Pump Association president Ishwinder Mongia, painting a grim picture, said that around 70 per cent of fuel pumps in the state would run dry by Tuesday evening if the situation persists. He urged the transporters to restore the supply chain, recognizing the importance of swift resolution to the ongoing strike.
Long Queues Outside Pumps
Motorists, caught in the crossfire of the truck drivers' protest and the resultant fuel crisis, have faced harrowing times. Long queues at fuel stations have become the norm, with motorists waiting for hours to get their tanks filled. The scarcity of fuel has led to frustration among citizens, exacerbating the urgency for a resolution to the ongoing truck drivers' strike. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at fuel stations across districts in Punjab. As per reports, several petrol pumps in Ludhiana an out of stock. In Ludhiana, all 340 petrol pumps ran dry by Tuesday afternoon, leaving local residents scrambling to refuel their vehicles. Ludhiana Petroleum Dealers Association chairman Ashok Sachdeva revealed that fuel stations typically maintain a three-day stock, and as the strike continued, panic-buying intensified among citizens fearing a prolonged shortage.
Transportation and Supply Disruptions
The strike has had a cascading effect on transportation and the supply chain. A transport company operator explained that drivers refused to operate trucks and canters in protest against the stringent provisions in the central law, citing concerns about potential mob lynching after accidents. With an estimated 1 lakh vehicles off the road, including trucks, private buses, and tankers, the impact on supplies and transportation has been substantial. Bathinda, a key bulk storage point for major public sector players such as Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, reported several fuel stations experiencing complete exhaustion of diesel. Users were seen filling petrol in two-wheelers and cars, exacerbating the fuel shortage. Bathinda Petrol Pump Dealers Association president Vinod Bansal warned that the situation could deteriorate further, impacting public transport, as more retail outlets may go without fuel.
Ripple Effect on Prices and Essential Commodities
The fuel crisis has not only disrupted transportation but also had a ripple effect on the prices of essential commodities. The supply of onions, tomatoes, garlic, lemons, ginger, and fruits, including apples, guavas, and oranges, has been severely affected. Rates of vegetables and fruits have skyrocketed within a day, further adding to the concerns of residents.
Bus Drivers to Observe 2-hr Strike Today
The strike's impact also extends to public transport, with over 250 buses under Punjab Roadways and PRTC at the city bus stand. Officials claimed that there is a reserve of fuel for three days, which has prevented an immediate halt to bus operations. However, the announcement of a two-hour strike by bus drivers from Wednesday indicates that the situation may worsen in the coming days, causing more inconvenience to residents relying on public transport.
Oil Tanker Operators Call Off Strike, Fuel Supply Resumes in Jalandhar
The oil tanker operators in Jalandhar have called off their strike, leading to the resumption of fuel supply in the district. The breakthrough was achieved through persistent efforts by the civil and police administration, which engaged in a series of meetings with the striking operators at the Indian Oil Corporation depot in Suchi Pind.
Led by Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal, Senior Superintendent of Police Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar, and Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Kumar Sharma, the officials conveyed the concerns of striking operators to the top officials of the state government. The meetings aimed at finding an amicable solution to the issues raised by the operators, who play a crucial role in the supply chain of essential items.
Assurances were given by the senior officials that the demands of the operators would be brought to the attention of the state government, and appropriate solutions would be provided promptly. Emphasizing the government's commitment to regulate the supply of essential items, officials acknowledged the vital role of the operators in the overall supply chain and assured them that all their concerns would be addressed.
The officials actively engaged with the striking operators, listening to their grievances and concerns. Memorandums were also received from the operators, documenting their demands and issues for further consideration.
Govt intervention restores petroleum supplies in Bathinda, Police protection ensures smooth distribution
Following proactive intervention by the state government, the distribution of petroleum products, including petrol and diesel, resumed from the oil depots of major players such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Bathinda on Tuesday evening. The resumption of supplies occurred under the protective umbrella of police presence, ensuring the safety of drivers and a smooth distribution process.
Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray and Senior Superintendent of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill played a pivotal role in orchestrating a meeting with representatives from the oil companies and the striking drivers. During the meeting, the district officials assured the drivers of their safety and pledged to provide police protection whenever they transport supplies from the oil depots to any location across the state.
Despite the positive development, long queues persisted at various petrol stations as the supplies had not yet reached all outlets by early evening. District officials, acknowledging the ongoing challenges, urged the public not to panic. They emphasized that while the supplies had resumed, it might take some time for them to reach every location. Importantly, the officials emphasized that there is no shortage of petroleum products, providing reassurance to the public.
