The effect of the truck drivers' strike has started to run rampant through Punjab. Out of 4100 pumps in the state, 30 percent were empty last night itself. Petrol Pumps across the state saw drivers desperate for refill rushing the pumps causing massive overcrowding which caused the operator to struggle. More than 40 percent of Jalandhar's Oil pumps have been depleted and 30 percent of Ludhiana's oil pumps have depleted. There is only one day's worth of oil left at many petrol pumps, which will be sold by this evening. There is a possibility of 45 percent of petrol pumps running out of oil across the state by evening.
Oil is supplied to petrol pumps of Punjab mainly from Bathinda, Jalandhar and Sangrur. Trucks, tanker pickups and many other types of vehicles are used for this. While the oil companies also have their own vehicles, due to the strike the vehicles of the oil companies are also not able to transport oil. The strikers are not allowing fuel to be filled from the depots.
This information was given by Paramjit Singh Doaba, owner of Doaba Petrol Pump of Kapurthala and head of Punjab Petrol Pump Association. He said that if the strike does not end, the situation may worsen.
3600 petrol pumps in 23 districts of Punjab
There are around 3600 petrol pumps in 23 districts of Punjab. The oil is mainly supplied in tankers from Bathinda, Jalandhar and Sangrur. Trucks, tanker pickups and many other types of vehicles are used in this work. While the oil companies also have their own vehicles, due to the strike the vehicles of the oil companies are also not able to carry oil. The strikers are not allowing fuel to be filled from the depots.
The government and oil companies are taking the strike seriously. The government and oil companies are talking to the operators sitting on strike so that the common essential services are not affected. Hopefully a solution will be found by evening. If no solution is found the situation will worsen
Ashwinder Mongia, spokesperson of Punjab Petrol Pump Association and head of Mohali Petrol Pump Association, said that if the strike does not end, the situation will worsen after today. 40 to 45 percent petrol pumps will become dry by Tuesday evening.
What is hit and run law?
In hit and run cases, a fine of up to Rs 7 lakh and imprisonment for up to 10 years has been imposed on the guilty driver. Drivers and transporters have come out openly in protest against this. Transporters say accidents are not deliberate and drivers often fear they will be subjected to mob violence if they attempt to take injured people to hospital. Therefore it should be cancelled.