LUCKNOW: As most fuel stations across the state began to run dry following panic buying triggered by a two-day-long strike, the oil marketing companies (OMCs) assured the general public on Tuesday evening that an
adequate
fuel supply chain has been activated, and tankers are en route to refill the underground fuel tanks.
In Uttar Pradesh, there are around 10,170 active fuel stations, including 259 in the state capital, Lucknow— with about 80 within the urban limits.
By 4 pm, a large number of fuel stations in Lucknow city had either run dry or the owners had locked fuel dispensing machines to control the panic buying of fuel.
Rajesh Singh
, the state-level coordinator for OMCs, stated, “Adequate quantities of petrol, diesel, and LPG are available at fuel stations and LPG agencies in Uttar Pradesh. No situation of dry out has been noticed. We request the public to buy fuel as per their regular requirement and not queue up for panic buying.”
“All OMCs have begun supplying fuel in trucks operated by dealers and distributors. If required, the operational hours of all fuel depots and LPG bottling plants will also be extended to meet the demand,” he added.
Daya Shankar Singh
, the chairperson of the Fuel Station Owners’ Association in Lucknow, noted, “Since a large number of stations were using their December 31st stock, some of them faced difficulties in meeting the fuel demand arising from panic buying.”
In Lucknow's
Transport Nagar
, a large number of people were seen queuing up with 20-50 liter jerry cans to buy diesel for trucks and heavy vehicles.
Ayush Singhal, owner of R S Fuel Station in Badshahnagar, whose underground fuel tanks dried up on Tuesday afternoon, said, “We have been alerted by OMCs that fuel tankers will arrive by Wednesday to refill the tanks, and we will be able to reinstate fuel supply to the general public.”
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