It appears that the oil-officers' strike will end later tonight; the army is reportedly on standby to step in with the logistics of fuel distribution. But until it happens, we're all left scratching our heads!
Showing posts with label fuel shortage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fuel shortage. Show all posts
Friday, January 9, 2009
Not again!
Barely six months after the last fuel scarcity scare, the next one has struck. Thanks to simultaneous strikes - by truckers, demanding reduction of the price of diesel, among other things, and by officers of the public sector oil companies demanding higher pay - and other things - the country has been teetering on the verge of a shut-down. 'Conservative' Chennai seems to have been less inconvenienced than other cities, not because of any favours shown to it, but because sensible responses have kicked in early. Many office goers have either switched to public transport or have been car-pooling over the past couple of days. Some rationing of petrol had kicked in even on Wednesday.
It appears that the oil-officers' strike will end later tonight; the army is reportedly on standby to step in with the logistics of fuel distribution. But until it happens, we're all left scratching our heads!
It appears that the oil-officers' strike will end later tonight; the army is reportedly on standby to step in with the logistics of fuel distribution. But until it happens, we're all left scratching our heads!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Out of fuel
It had to happen. Over the past couple of months, there have been reports - and rumours - of petrol bunks refusing to pump regular petrol, but forcing people to buy the more expensive premium brands. Erratic supply of petrol and diesel had resulted in stock-outs at a few of the bunks. However, since Monday evening, the fuel supply system to the city was thrown completely out of whack. Vehicles began to tank up, fearful of running dry; seeing the queues, more vehicles joined them, 'just in case'.
Last morning the queues began early; by about 9 o'clock, traffic had become completely messy, with everyone trying to squeeze into the nearest petrol bunk. Apart from the traffic police, other units were also brought in at some bunks to protect them from the wrath of the waiting crowd, when they actually emptied their stocks. Things were looking somewhat dangerous as other cities in the state also began to report shortages.
Thankfully, the fevers eased off a bit with the announcement that about 25% more fuel than normal was being sent in to Chennai on Wednesday - and also the news that a tanker with 30,000 kilolitres of diesel was berthing at Chennai port on Tuesday evening. I wonder if all the trucks had gone directly to the docks for their fuel supply!
Last morning the queues began early; by about 9 o'clock, traffic had become completely messy, with everyone trying to squeeze into the nearest petrol bunk. Apart from the traffic police, other units were also brought in at some bunks to protect them from the wrath of the waiting crowd, when they actually emptied their stocks. Things were looking somewhat dangerous as other cities in the state also began to report shortages.
Thankfully, the fevers eased off a bit with the announcement that about 25% more fuel than normal was being sent in to Chennai on Wednesday - and also the news that a tanker with 30,000 kilolitres of diesel was berthing at Chennai port on Tuesday evening. I wonder if all the trucks had gone directly to the docks for their fuel supply!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)