Bhubaneswar, 9 July (H.S.): Odisha is staring at a potential fuel crisis as an indefinite strike by thousands of commercial vehicle drivers continues to paralyse the transportation of petrol, diesel, and LPG across the state.
According to Sanjay Lath, General Secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association, fuel supplies to petrol pumps have been severely disrupted for the past two days. “No fuel-laden tankers have reached filling stations in the last 48 hours. If the situation does not improve today, a visible fuel shortage is expected from tomorrow. Several petrol pumps are already running dry,” Lath said.
Major fuel depots in Paradip, Balasore, Jatni, and Jharsuguda remain non-operational as a result of the agitation. Authorities may be forced to step in with police intervention to ensure the transportation of fuel if the impasse continues, he added.
The statewide protest, launched by the Odisha Drivers’ Mahasangha, has brought the movement of buses, trucks, vans, and taxis to a standstill, severely impacting public transport and the delivery of essential commodities.
The agitating drivers are demanding key social security measures, including pension benefits for those aged 60 and above, ₹20 lakh insurance coverage, and inclusion of auto-rickshaw drivers in the Odisha Motor Transport Drivers and Workers Welfare Board. The association is also opposing the state government’s decision to grant vehicle-checking powers to the police.
Among other demands are a 70% job reservation for local drivers in mines, quarries, and factories, and official recognition of September 1 as National Drivers’ Day.
Talks between the drivers’ association and the state government have yet to yield a resolution, raising concerns of further disruption in the days ahead.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
