Nationwide Fuel Shortages Escalate Amidst Truckers' Strike Over New Legislation
An escalating strike by truck drivers across India over the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) has plunged the nation into a fuel crisis.
The strike entered its second day and approximately 2,000 petrol pumps in western and northern India reported running out of fuel stocks, triggering widespread panic and long queues at gas stations.
Chandigarh, facing the brunt of the fuel shortage, has taken proactive measures to manage the limited fuel supply. The administration imposed temporary restrictions on petrol and diesel sales, limiting two-wheelers to two litres or a maximum value of Rs 200, while four-wheelers are restricted to 5 litres or Rs 500. Authorities said in a statement that these measures are crucial to ensure equitable fuel distribution during the disruption.
Efforts are underway to resume fuel supply to Chandigarh through coordination with Oil Marketing Companies and authorities in Punjab and Haryana. The situation is dire, with concerns rising about potential disruptions to essential supplies such as vegetables, fruits and milk if the strike prolongs or evolves into a pan-India movement.
The strike is in protest against the BNS, which introduces harsh penalties, including a 10-year jail term, for hit-and-run cases. Under the previous legislation, drivers are faced with imprisonment for up to two years under IPC Section 304A (death by negligence). The protesting truck and bus drivers are demanding the repeal of these stringent provisions, arguing that they jeopardise their livelihoods.
Industry officials reported that despite state-owned oil firms topping up fuel tanks across the country in anticipation of the strike, some petrol pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab ran out of stock due to overwhelming demand. The crisis has underscored the broader implications of the truckers' strike, extending beyond fuel shortages to potential disruptions in the supply chain.
