Diesel shortage hits parts of state, long queues at pumps in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Many places across the state are grappling with shortage of diesel, prompting long queues at pumps as farmers and traders struggle to get adequate supply.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, serpentine queues were reported at multiple fuel outlets. “The queues of four-wheelers have been much longer than two-wheeler lines. I visited multiple pumps, but each pump was equally crowded,” said Suhas Kale, a car owner.

Pravin Phular, the district supply officer for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said the fuel crisis has not eased due to panic buying. “The volume of sale of fuel is much higher and taking place very fast. We are in constant touch with three major oil marketing companies (OMCs) to match the demand with supply,” he said.

Jalna district administration on Wednesday issued an order mandating a 5% reserved quota of fuel for emergency services. Jalna district collector Ashima Mittal said the reserved stock will be utilised for emergency services like hospitals and police.

“Importantly, people should avoid panic buying because it is creating a supply-demand mismatch. Also , black marketing of fuel will be taken very seriously and people involved in such activities will be punished as per law,” she said.

Meanwhile, AIMIM on Thursday offered Melody chocolates to those who got fuel after standing in long queues in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The act was aimed at targeting govt on fuel crisis as well as PM Narendra Modi, who is facing criticism from the opposition for gifting Melody toffees to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni during his Italy tour amid “economic storm” back home.

The availability of diesel has become a concern in Kolhapur and Nashik districts as well. Petrol was selling at Rs 108.53 per litre and diesel at Rs 95.6 per litre in Kolhapur. District supply office Mohini Chavan told TOI that farmers were stocking up on diesel after the recent hike in rates, but no queues were seen outside petrol pumps. Only three to four petrol pumps in the district are shut due to shortage, she said.

“The rates were increased twice in four days. The pre-monsoon field work requires tractors, which run on diesel. Fearing a further hike in fuel rate, there has been a rise in demand from farmers,” said Chavan. She added that diesel comes from a depot near Miraj. “There was a shortage at the Miraj depot. Therefore, procurement started from Pakhani’s depot in Solapur district. The distance of 250 km increased transportation cost of the diesel,” added Chavan.

An onion trader from Lasalgaon, the country’s largest wholesale market, said they were feeling the heat of the diesel crunch.

“I had booked a truck to transport onions outside the state. It was scheduled to reach Lasalgaon by Wednesday noon, but has not arrived even till Thursday evening due to the diesel shortage. In addition, diesel supply at the few petrol pumps is restricted, creating further difficulties for transporters,” Manoj Jain, an onion trader, said.

Tehsin Khan, the vice-president of the Nashik Petrol Dealers’ Association, said, “There is a significant shortage of diesel, with supplies unavailable at over 100 of the 600 petrol pumps across Nashik district. Long queues are seen at pumps where diesel is available and the stock is getting exhausted within five to six hours.”