A worsening diesel shortage across Marathwada has begun to take a direct toll on agricultural operations, especially tilling, which is being done as part of preparations for monsoon sowing, with farmers struggling to procure fuel for tractors and essential farm activities.
The crisis has triggered long queues at petrol pumps in Jalna, Latur, Beed and Dharashiv, while transport and supply chains have also started feeling the impact.
Impact on Farming
Farm work, particularly ploughing, has slowed significantly as tractor operators are refusing to take up jobs without assured diesel supply. In many places, the tractor owners have made it clear that their tractors will only work if diesel is arranged in advance. However, petrol pumps in districts like Latur are rationing fuel, with only diesel worth Rs 3,000 being provided per tractor, which farmers say is insufficient even for ploughing three to four acres of land.
As a result, farmers from rural areas are flocking to city petrol pumps and standing in long queues to secure fuel for agricultural work. The situation is particularly severe in Latur, Beed and Dharashiv districts, where diesel availability has dropped sharply over the past week.
Political Intervention
With woes of commoners, farmers and transporters spiralling up, Osmanabad MP Omprakash alias Pawanraje Rajeninbalkar has even penned a letter to the district collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar, stating despite fuel station owners paying the money in advance, fuel tankers are not being supplied.
Fuel Shortage in Latur
In Latur city, a fuel shortage led to heavy rush at most petrol pumps since Tuesday morning. Long lines of vehicles were seen waiting for refuelling, as limited stock struggled to meet demand. The shortage has persisted for the past two days, with many pumps running on minimal reserves.
Officials attributed the situation to a sudden spike in demand during a three-day holiday period, coupled with panic buying triggered by rumours of a possible fuel price hike.
Farmers' Plight
Sanket Patil, a farmer from Latur district, said farmers are suffering the most as diesel shortage has intensified over the past eight days. "We are getting diesel worth only Rs 3,000 at a time, which is not enough even for ploughing three-four acres. Tractor drivers are not willing to stand in queues, so farmers are forced to queue up at petrol pumps first before starting farm work," he said.
The shortage has also disrupted agricultural transport. Operators of small vegetable vehicles and tempos are facing difficulties due to lack of fuel. Transportation of fruits and vegetables on key routes such as Latur-Dharashiv, Latur-Solapur and Latur-Nanded has been affected, creating concerns over supply disruptions.
