Who is Responsible for Petrol Shortage?

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A petrol and diesel shortage has emerged in the city over the past two days, causing major inconvenience to vehicle owners who are forced to stand in queues for up to one-and-a-half hours at pumps. Citizens are now questioning who is responsible, the oil companies or the petrol pump management.

While the ongoing global conflict is being cited as affecting fuel supply, local issues are also coming to light. Oil companies have stopped credit facilities, supplying fuel only to pumps that pay in advance. However, pump owners allege that even after advance payments, tankers are not arriving on time, disrupting the supply chain.

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'March-End' Trouble for Pump Owners

Banks and oil companies have suspended credit facilities due to year-end financial transactions, forcing pumps to pay cash upfront for fuel. With banks unwilling to issue new loans, many pump owners are in financial difficulty, a situation unlikely to ease until after the first week of April. Supply disruptions from the Panewadi depot in Nashik are further impacting city distribution, with some pumps displaying "No Stock" boards.

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Though tankers reached some pumps Thursday evening and midnight, supply remains irregular. Despite the administration and Petroleum Dealers Association repeatedly denying any shortage, the ground reality has left citizens confused and anxious.

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Restoring supply chain is essential

The city's fuel system is caught in a three-way squeeze, oil company policies, banking limitations, and panic buying by citizens. Urgently restoring the supply chain and rebuilding public confidence is the need of the hour.