Drivers’ strike and fuel crisis: Normalcy to return in Bhubaneswar soon

Amidst reports of several petrol pumps running dry on account of the stirke by the Drivers’ Mahasangha in Odisha, the news that fuel supply in Bhubaneswar is expected to return to normalcy by Friday evening is likely to provide some respite to scores of commuters who had an harrowing experience to refuel their vehicles.

Utkal Petroleum Dealers' Association General Secretary, Sanjay Lath today informed that earlier the association had urged people not to resort to panic buying in the larger interest of other consumers of the state.

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“Today, there has been movement of about 150 vehicles from Balasore, Paradip and Jatni oil depots. Excess stock has been despatched to Bhubaneswar,” said Lath. Commenting on the fuel crisis, Lath attributed it to the non-reporting of drivers on duty and disruption in movement of fuel tankers at several places.

“The Odisha Government has set up control room and task force and efforts are on to bring the tankers to fuel pumps with help of local administration. The district Collectors are also trying to ensure that petrol/diesel reaches concerned areas to meet the basic requirements,” Lath said.

Lath further said that whenever there is any such disruption, it will usually take some days to fill up the backlog. “It will take nearly 4 to 5 days for complete restocking by petrol pumps. Odisha witnesses sale of around 27.50 lakh litres of petrol and 60 lakh litres of diesel per day,” Lath added.