The Hindu Business Line : Fuel crisis worsens in Mumbai

The availability of petrol, diesel and CNG across the Mumbai metropolitan region has been hit as the strike called by the officers of oil companies entered the second day.

The taxis and rickshaws were worst hit as CNG supply to most of the pumps has reached critical levels. At pumps near Haji Ali and Vile Parle, vehicle owners had to wait for over two hours to fill their tanks.

Priority areas

Talking to Business Line, Mr N Srikumar, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation, said that due to the strike, overall fuel supply has been badly affected across the country. The company has been able to meet only about 20 per cent of the fuel demand. It is focussing on maintaining supplies to aviation, defence and public transport. In spite of the efforts, supplies to priority sector is still facing delays, he said.

Mr Srikumar added that about 300 officers of General Manager and Deputy General Manager level have fanned out across the country trying to maintain supply lines. But they will not be able to match the 10,000 personnel who are usually part of the regular operations of the company. If the strike continues, the situation could turn grim, he said.

HPCL supplies

As Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd is not participating in the strike, itsoperations continue to be normal. An officer of HPCL said that demand for additional supply of petrol and diesel from pump owners is being met without delay. On Thursday, Mumbai region received the regular supply of 400 kilolitres (kl) of petrol, 400 kl of diesel, 200 kl of kerosene, 240 tonnes of CNG and 20 tonnes of LPG.

Ms Neera Asthana, Corporate Communication Manager with Mahanagar Gas, said the0 situation is grave as far as the supply of gas is concerned for the commercial and industrial consumers in Mumbai. Available gas is being diverted to domestic consumers, which are a priority for the company. CNG supply to 130 petrol pumps has dropped to a great extent. On an average, the company distributes 1.5 mmscmd of gas daily in Mumbai and suburban areas. But, on Thursday, it reached a critical level, she said.

Ms Asthana said that if the strike continues on Friday, then supply to domestic consumers could also get affected, she said.

Situation worsening

Mr Ravi Shinde, President of the Federation of All-Maharashtra Petrol Dealers’ Association, said that vehicles owners across the state are getting crippled due to non-availability of fuel.

Mr M M Somaya, DGM (Public Relations) of BPCL, said that the ‘company supply depots’ would be able to sustain for another seven to 15 days without fresh supply. Stocks at the petrol pumps would only last another two days. The company has been able to supply about 60 to 65 per cent of regular petrol and diesel demand.

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