Naggra District Collector Intervenes as Fuel Shortage Hits City
In a significant development addressing a sudden fuel crisis, Nagpur district collector Vipin Itankar has issued a directive to officials of various oil companies, urging them to ensure maximum supply of petrol and diesel. This action comes in response to concerns raised by the Federation of Maharashtra Petroleum Dealers Association (FAMPEDA), which represents petrol pump owners across the state.
Dealers Highlight Operational Hurdles and Supply Constraints
Members of the dealers' guild, alongside representatives from oil companies, convened a meeting with the collector to apprise him of the pressing supply constraints. The issues cited included limited operational timings at key depots and the cessation of credit facilities, which have severely hampered the refilling process for tankers dispatched by petrol pumps.
Specifically, the Nayara Energy depot in Wardha district, a crucial facility utilized by public sector undertaking (PSU) oil companies in Nagpur, has been operating under restrictive hours, closing by 2.30 pm. This timing limitation has significantly slowed down the refilling of tankers, exacerbating the shortage. In a positive turn, sources indicate that Nayara has agreed to extend entry permissions until the evening and continue filling tankers late into the night.
Furthermore, at the BPCL's Borkhedi pump, a strict insistence on payment before 2.30 pm has adversely affected refilling operations. It has been learned that oil company officials have been instructed to ease these payment terms and reinstate credit facilities to alleviate the bottleneck.
Panic Buying Exacerbates Supply Chain Disruptions
Collector Vipin Itankar emphasized that while there is an adequate stock of petrol and diesel for the city, abnormal consumer behavior has disrupted the supply chain. In a detailed note shared by the collector, it was revealed that consumers, who typically purchase fuel according to their immediate needs, have engaged in widespread panic buying.
This surge in demand has led to a dramatic increase in purchase amounts. For instance, two-wheeler riders, who usually buy an average of Rs 100 worth of fuel, have been purchasing petrol for as much as Rs 600. Similarly, four-wheeler owners have escalated their average purchases from Rs 300-600 to a staggering Rs 2000-6000. This panic-driven behavior has directly contributed to some petrol pumps running dry.
Current Fuel Stocks and Appeals for Consumer Restraint
According to the collector's note, the district currently holds substantial fuel reserves, including 10,500 kilolitres (equivalent to 10.5 lakh litres) of petrol and 3,500 kilolitres (35 lakh litres) of diesel. These stocks are primarily managed at the Borkhedi depot, which remains a focal point in the supply chain.
Amit Gupta, president of FAMPEDA, has joined the call for calm, appealing to consumers to exercise restraint and avoid hoarding fuel. Echoing this sentiment, Viraj Lamba, a dealer at Indora Chowk, reported that panic buying persisted on Wednesday. However, he noted that with concerted support from the oil companies, operations could be managed more smoothly moving forward.
The Nagpur district administration has also proactively contacted its counterpart in Wardha, requesting that the Nayara Energy depot remain operational beyond its current restricted hours to facilitate uninterrupted fuel supply. This collaborative effort aims to stabilize the situation and prevent future shortages.
