Fuel crisis looms in Mumbai, few other cities amid truck drivers' strike

Fuel pumps in Mumbai could soon run dry due to the ongoing truck driver’s strike, which has resulted in no supply of fresh fuel stocks at almost all outlets in the city. A Mumbai-based fuel retail owner in Juhu spoke to our sister publication Autocar Professional via text message, confirming that supply has entirely stopped.

Ajay Bansal, President of the All India Petroleum Dealers Association told Autocar Professional that normally, fuel tanks get refuelled two-three times a day. However, since there is no supply, it's just a matter of time before “we (fuel retailers) would be in trouble,” he said.

A few other fuel retailers we spoke to have confirmed that the last supply sent to them was either on December 31, or the early hours of January 1, and since then, there has been no news on the next fuel delivery from distributors.

The Food and Civil Supply Department in Maharashtra has requested police to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petrol and diesel. Since Monday, protestors have blockaded roads and highways across Maharashtra and other states.

What is the strike about?

Truck and bus drivers nationwide are protesting against a recent central government law that has a provision for hit-and-run cases.  The newly enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita mandates penalties of Rs 7 lakh and a 10-year imprisonment in case of a hit-and-run accident. The earlier law under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) had provisions for two years of imprisonment.

The transporters, who are on a three-day strike that began yesterday, allege that the new law, which is yet to get implemented, will end up becoming a tool for harassing them and may increase corruption.

SHAHKAR ABIDI

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