Fuel Crisis in State Amid Truck Operators’ Strike Over Hit and Run Amendments
2 min read
Image Source Internet
Solan, January 3: In the midst of the strike by truck operators against the amendments made in the Motor Vehicles Act regarding hit and run cases, a fuel crisis emerged in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district. Around 70 vehicles loaded with petrol and diesel were dispatched from the HP Oil Depot in Khed, near Nalagarh, to other districts in the state. Additionally, on Monday, 90 vehicles left the depot under police protection.
A meeting was held between Additional District Magistrate Divyanshu Singal, Deputy Superintendent of Police Priyank Gupta, and the depot operators to ensure the security of the facility. The strike by truck operators has disrupted the supply chain, leading to concerns about fuel shortages in the region.
Meanwhile, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum depots in Nalagarh are also grappling with the fuel shortage due to the strike. According to Sunil Rana, the sales manager at Hindustan Petroleum depot, supply is not coming from Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum due to the ongoing strike by tanker drivers. Pawan Preet Singh, the in-charge of Indian Oil, stated that there is no shortage of oil, but the supply is affected due to the strike.
Madan Lal Chaudhary, the operator of Harman Filling Station in Baddi, mentioned that he receives oil from the Una depot, but the strike is causing disruptions in the supply. He expressed hope that his tankers would be filled by Tuesday night if the demonstrators do not obstruct them.
Police escorted around 80 tankers to various petrol pumps in the region during the curfew hours. The strike has also affected the industrial sector, especially in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area, as truck operators have refused to transport goods.
In another development, the strike has impacted the state-owned broadcaster, BBMN, where the demand for more than 500 trucks from industries has only been met with 12 trucks willing to operate. This has caused a significant slowdown in the transportation of goods, affecting industries and businesses across the state.
The truck operators’ strike, coupled with protests against the new motor vehicle laws, has caused traffic disruptions at various locations. The situation remains tense, with concerns about the escalation of the crisis in the coming days.
