Maharashtra, Punjab Hit by Fuel Shortages Amid Protests, Panic Buying Spreads

Key Points:

• Truck driver protests against new hit-and-run provisions spark panic buying of fuel in Maharashtra and Punjab.

• Long queues seen at petrol pumps in Thane, Nagpur, Jalgaon, Dhulia, Amritsar, and Patiala.

• Some petrol pumps in Nagpur already empty, others in Thane closing due to shortage.

• Nashik petrol pump association warns of dry pumps if protests continue.

• A policeman injured in Thane, another in Navi Mumbai during protests.

• Truck drivers block Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Thane, throw stones.

• Panic buying in Punjab, almost all petrol pumps in Amritsar out of fuel.

• Protests stem from new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita's stricter penalties for hit-and-run accidents.

Truck driver protests in Maharashtra and Punjab, triggered by the stricter hit-and-run provisions in the new Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), have led to panic buying of fuel and long queues at petrol pumps. Videos show residents of Thane, Nagpur, Jalgaon, Dhulia, Amritsar, and Patiala waiting patiently to fill their vehicles.

The situation is particularly dire in Nagpur, where several pumps have already run out of fuel and others are on the verge of closing. In Nashik, tanker drivers have halted work and parked their vehicles near fuel depots, threatening further shortages. The Nashik Petrol Dealers Association warns that many pumps will run dry if the protests continue.

Panic buying further exacerbates the issue, with Mumbai's Petrol Pump Association reporting difficulties in maintaining petrol stocks due to increased demand. The Marathwada region also faces the risk of dry pumps if the situation doesn't normalize.

Protests have turned violent in some instances. In Thane, drivers blocked the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway and pelted stones at police, injuring an officer. Similar incidents occurred in Navi Mumbai, where a policeman was attacked by a mob of truckers.

Amidst the chaos, locals urge the government and truck association to find a swift resolution to the issue.

The BNS replaces the colonial Indian Penal Code and significantly strengthens penalties for hit-and-run accidents caused by negligent driving. Drivers can face up to 10 years imprisonment or a ₹7 lakh fine if they flee the scene without informing authorities. This stricter law has drawn opposition from truck drivers, leading to the current protests and disruption of fuel supply.

The situation remains volatile, with fuel shortages and potential violence creating a tense atmosphere in parts of Maharashtra and Punjab. It is crucial for both parties to reach a solution that addresses the concerns of truck drivers while ensuring public safety and accessibility to essential fuel supplies.