The domino effect of the ongoing strike of the Odisha Drivers’ Association has started across the state. With the movement of fuel tankers being halted at different locations, petrol pumps are going dry.
On the second day of the strike today, most petrol pumps in Bhubaneswar, Jeypore, and Balasore reported a scarcity of fuel. In the morning, most filling stations in the above-mentioned cities were seen refusing customers, forcing people to go from one filling station to another.
The reason behind the crisis is attributed to the ongoing drivers’ strike. Because of the strike, oil tankers are having trouble reaching their destinations, triggering shortage.
On the other hand, the general secretary of Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association, Sanjay Lath appealed to people not to panic.
“It is a general practice that petrol pumps maintain a stock which lasts at least for three days. This time too, keeping the drivers’ strike in view, the petrol pumps have stocked up. There is nothing to worry about or panic. If someone does panic buying and procure petrol five times more than his requirement, then the stock may not last till tomorrow,” said Lath.
“I would like to request people to buy petrol only if they have an actual requirement and avoid buying more than the required amount of fuel. Such practice would see us through tomorrow,” he added.
(Reported by Rashmi Ranjan Dash, T Gouri Shankar and Alok Mohanty, OTV)