Truck Driver Protest: Mumbai, Nagpur witness long queues at petrol pumps amid fuel shortage

In a ripple effect of the ongoing protest by truck drivers against a provision in the new penal law on hit-and-run cases, long queues were observed at petrol pumps in Mumbai and Nagpur on Tuesday. Concerns about a potential fuel shortage emerged as drivers expressed their discontent with a provision in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code. Under this new law, drivers causing a serious road accident due to negligent driving, and subsequently fleeing without informing authorities, could face severe penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

"Petrol pumps started getting dry yesterday. If we don't get the supply, most of the pumps will run out of fuel from today." Mumbai, with around 200 petrol pumps, faced disruptions as oil marketing companies' depots in Sewri were blocked by protesting drivers, impeding the movement of fuel tankers," Chetan Modi, president of the Petrol Dealers Association in Mumbai, told PTI.

Anil Garg, president of the School Bus Association, noted the long queues at fuel pumps and attributed the agitation to spontaneous actions by some drivers fueled through social media messages. However, no official declaration of a strike by any truckers' body has been made.


In Nagpur, panic buying ensued as truck drivers' protests led to queues at petrol pumps since Monday night. Nagpur Collector Dr Vipin Itankar reassured the public of sufficient stock of petrol, diesel, and LPG, urging them not to succumb to rumors and avoid unnecessary crowding at petrol pumps.

Local transportation in Nagpur was impacted due to a 'chakka jam' by truck drivers, as claimed by a local Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary supporting the agitation. Various truck driver associations planned to stage protests and discuss the future course of action in response to the contentious provision in the new penal law.

The Maharashtra Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Protection Department, on Monday, requested police intervention to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders. The department also sought appropriate action under the Essential Commodities Act against drivers and transporters causing interruptions in the supply of petroleum products.