Fuel Crisis: HRCTC Buses Stalled, Private Operators Join Strike
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The Newz Radar
The state of Himachal Pradesh is facing a fuel crisis as most depots run dry, affecting essential services. Petrol and diesel shortages have hit the majority of petrol pumps in the state, with a significant number already dry. This shortage is causing disruptions in bus services, with around 250 buses from the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRCTC) stranded due to the lack of diesel.
Presently, the state has approximately 582 petrol pumps, with 417 belonging to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and around 165 to Hindustan Petroleum. The supply from IOC pumps has been completely halted for the past three days, leading to fuel exhaustion at these stations. While there has been some supply from Nalagarh to Hindustan Petroleum pumps, it is insufficient, and these stations are also running out of petrol.
The shortage is impacting HRCTC’s 250 routes in the state, despite receiving 53,000 liters of fuel today. The HRCTC is prioritizing depots facing severe shortages, including Mandi, Sundar Nagar, Chamba, Nahan, and Paonta.
Private bus operators are also supporting the truckers’ strike, resulting in buses being parked at various locations. Private Bus Operators Association President Rajesh Parashar confirmed that drivers of private buses have also joined the strike, causing bus shortages at multiple places.
In response to the crisis, the state government has dispatched 34 tankers with police escorts from Nalagarh to Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan districts to ensure a continued supply for ambulances, government buses, and essential services.
The fuel scarcity is likely to impact the daily supply of essential items like milk, bread, and vegetables. If the fuel supply is not restored promptly, these shortages may exacerbate further.
Meanwhile, the Shimla district administration has imposed restrictions on petrol pump operators, limiting fuel dispensed at a time to 10 liters. Pump operators are also required to maintain reserves to ensure availability during emergencies. The Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Aditya Negi, emphasized the need for dealers to comply with these directives, indicating penalties for non-compliance.
As the fuel crisis intensifies, there are concerns about its broader impact on daily life, public services, and transportation across Himachal Pradesh.
