Panic buying grips Fuel Stations in Northern Haryana as residents rush to fill up tanks

In a troubling turn of events, fuel stations in northern Haryana are witnessing a surge in panic buying, triggered by reports of fuel restrictions in Chandigarh and shortages in Punjab. This unrest is exacerbated by ongoing protests by commercial vehicle drivers against the newly introduced provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Protests lead to long queues and shortages

Several fuel stations in Ambala experienced long queues of vehicles, with some even reporting shortages of petrol and diesel. Over 500 truck drivers engaged in transporting goods, fast-moving consumer goods, and fuel staged a protest at Transport Nagar in Karnal. The protests have gained momentum, with drivers expressing discontent over the perceived adverse impact of the new legal provisions on their livelihoods.

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Narender Singh Bedi, Joint Secretary of the All India Motor Transport Congress, voiced concerns, labeling the new provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as a "death note" for truckers who already endure challenging working conditions daily. The discontent has led to a strike, with truckers and tempo drivers involved in delivering LPG cylinders supporting the cause.

Officials assure adequate fuel supply

Authorities, including Ambala Deputy Commissioner Shaleen and Karnal DC Anish Yadav, have reassured the public that most pumps in the districts are operational. They emphasized that many stations have their own vehicles to procure and transport fuel from the Panipat refinery. Despite these assurances, the protests and resulting panic buying underscore the challenges posed by the evolving legal landscape for the transportation sector in the region.

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