Truckers' strike sparks chaos as petrol pumps run dry in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 2: The repercussions of a nationwide strike by truckers protesting the stringent new hit-and-run law have reached Kashmir, resulting in widespread shortages of petroleum products.

Almost all petrol pumps in Kashmir are reported to be dry, while the retail outlets with available supplies experienced chaotic scenes with long queues.

The strike, initiated by truckers opposing the newly proposed hit-and-run law, has disrupted the transportation of petroleum supplies across the country.

As a consequence of this, people in Kashmir responded to the news by rushing to petrol filling stations, leading to huge queues and exhausting available supplies.

“I am waiting for two hours to refill fuel in my car as I have to take my mother, who is on dialysis, for the procedure,” said Ajaz Ahmad of Soura.

Bilal Ahmad, a representative of petroleum dealers in Kashmir said that although there was sufficient supply in the depots of oil marketing companies to last for a month, the problem lies in the reluctance of truck drivers to transport supplies from depots to retail outlets within J&K.

Ahmad emphasised that within J&K, four depots belonging to oil marketing companies were all well-stocked with ample supplies.

Furthermore, the two depots located in Ladakh also boast a substantial inventory of both petrol and diesel, assuring sustained availability.

General Secretary of the Kashmir Transporters Association, Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf, voiced the concerns of transporters nationwide, opposing the proposed legislation that imposes harsh penalties on drivers involved in accidents.

Under the new hit-and-run law, drivers fleeing the scene of an accident can face up to 10 years in jail along with a hefty fine of Rs 7 lakh, a significant increase from the previous two-year prison term under the Indian Penal Code.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Director of Food Supplies and Consumers Affairs, Abdul Rashid War, reassured the public that there was no shortage of petroleum supply in Kashmir.

He attributed the panic buying and long queues at petrol stations to the nationwide strike, emphasising the adequate supply available in depots across Kashmir.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said that despite the impact of the nationwide strike, there were sufficient stocks of diesel, petrol, and LPG in Kashmir.

However, fuel station managers in Srinagar expressed concerns, stating that the current rush and panic buying had significantly shortened their anticipated stock duration from four to five days to just one day. In some areas, station owners sought Police assistance to manage the situation.