Rajkot: Amid a diesel crunch affecting transport and port-linked activity in Kutch, the district administration has asked oil marketing companies (OMCs) to step up supplies and rationalize prices for bulk buyers to ease pressure on retail fuel stations.
Background of the Crisis
Kutch is among the country’s largest transportation hubs, handling cargo for Mundra and Kandla ports and serving major industrial clusters. The district has more than 10,000 large container trucks and about 5,000 smaller vehicles engaged in cargo and industrial transport.
Transport operators, who run their own consumer pumps supplied with bulk diesel by OMCs, have shifted to retail outlets after bulk diesel became 30 to 40% costlier than retail fuel. Officials said this led to a fall of nearly 90% in bulk diesel consumption. Demand at retail fuel stations simultaneously rose by about 70%, triggering supply disruptions at several pumps across the district.
Administrative Measures
Kutch collector Anil Ranavasiya told TOI, “We have asked transporters to buy bulk diesel as they were doing earlier and asked OMCs to rationalize the price difference between bulk and retail pumps. We have also asked OMCs to divert more diesel to the retail pumps reserved for bulk consumers.” After reports that some pumps had run dry, the district administration formed teams to monitor fuel stocks. Inspections found that some operators were not placing purchase orders with OMCs on time, while transport delays were also affecting supply.
Officials said fuel transportation was streamlined and pump operators were directed to place orders well in advance to prevent shortages. Pump operators have also been told to verify Form 8A before supplying diesel to farmers and to maintain proper records of such sales. The administration has identified port machinery units, including loaders and mini-trucks operating in port areas, and shared the list with OMCs to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for port operations.
Impact on Transport and Port Operations
The diesel crunch has severely impacted transport operators, who are now forced to rely on retail outlets at higher costs. The shift has caused long queues and delays at retail pumps, affecting cargo movement to and from the ports. The administration’s intervention aims to restore normalcy by encouraging bulk purchases and ensuring adequate supply to critical sectors.
Future Outlook
With the district administration’s directives, OMCs are expected to adjust bulk diesel prices to narrow the gap with retail rates. Monitoring teams will continue to oversee fuel stocks and compliance. The proactive measures are intended to prevent further disruptions and support the economic activities dependent on Kutch’s transportation network.
