Farmers in Haveri district rushed to a private petrol station on the outskirts of the town as diesel remained unavailable, forcing them to wait in long queues with cans for hours amid the onset of the monsoon season. The shortage of diesel, essential for agricultural activity, has persisted since May 21, with farmers saying they have been unable to access fuel to cultivate their land.
They said diesel was not readily available at the taluk centre and that even at the district headquarters, farmers expressed frustration over the shortage. Owing to the unavailability of diesel at several pumps in Haveri's district centre, people struggled, and vehicles lined up at the lone pump where it was available.
Farmers alleged that petrol station owners were not supplying diesel in cans. With the onset of the monsoon season in the district, there was a need for various machinery, including tractors, for farm work. However, due to the fuel supply disruption triggered by the West Asia conflict, agricultural activity has suffered setbacks.
For the past two days, the diesel crisis has worsened at most petrol pumps in the district. On Saturday, people queued up with cans at pumps throughout the day, collecting diesel as their turn came. Following heavy rain on Saturday night, farmers using tractors for agricultural work halted operations until Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning, farmers, tractor operators and auto drivers lined up to fill diesel at a pump on PB Road. The shortage persisted at some outlets until noon, but after a tanker arrived and unloaded, some people were able to secure diesel.
Farmers faced shortages across several parts of the district, including Savanur, Haveri, Hanagal, Shiggaon and Ranebennur. In rural areas such as Hosaritti and parts of Guttal, people carrying cans stood in queues outside petrol pumps, alongside long lines of vehicles.
“We have been waiting since morning, but received only five litres instead of 20 due to the fuel shortage. How are we expected to manage amid delays in sowing seeds and applying fertilisers, with diesel scarcity compounding our problems? The district administration and oil companies must act immediately to ensure adequate supply of diesel and petrol,” said Sanganna Arali, a farmer.
“The issue has arisen due to a district-wide diesel shortage. We are in touch with oil companies for supplies, and they have assured us the problem will be resolved,” said Manjunath DJ, deputy director of the department of food and civil supplies, Haveri.
