Single-shift at pumps leaves motorists fuming

MUMBAI: Thousands were inconvenienced on Monday when petrol pump owners began their stir and operated only a single shift from 9am to 5pm. The 246 pumps across the city shut down sharp at 5pm, leaving motorists and transporters fuming as they were unable to refill petrol or diesel. The protest is likely to continue when pumps reopen on Tuesday. The owners are demanding an increase in their commission.

There were long queues of cars, tempos and trucks at most pumps between 9am and 11am and from 3pm to 5 pm. "We had to cater to a huge rush of motorists in the morning. This may continue on Tuesday," said an official of a petrol pump in JVPD scheme.

Ravi Shinde of Petrol Dealers' Association said the deadlock between oil companies and pump owners continues. All India Motor Transport Congress president Bal Malkit Singh said the single shift operation will hit the transport sector, especially diesel trucks which supply essential commodities to the city.

The stir's timing has irked citizens as it coincides with the Navratri season. Kavita Kher, who wanted to shop for the festive season, is upset over the pumps remaining open only for eight hours. "The Navratri season has begun and several cars will be out on roads till late at night. If we run out of fuel, we will be stuck."

Many residents have begun conserving fuel and those who went to petrol pumps on Monday tanked up. "We have suggested to car owners and transporters to get their tanks filled up as this will minimize inconvenience," said a senior supervisor at Chheda service station in Mulund.

Ghatkopar resident Arvind Jaiswal said, "I had to travel to Pune. When I went to fill petrol after 5pm, I was turned away. I am virtually stranded as I have heard that all pumps in Maharashtra are operating a single shift."

Nilesh Vaidya, head of security at Hotel Sahara Star in Andheri, pointed out that most people are in office from 9am to 5pm and will find it difficult to keep to the pumps' new timings. "What if I need to take my parents to hospital in an emergency and there isn't enough fuel," he asked.

At Lalbaug, Swapnil Parab, secretary of the Ganesh Gully Ganeshotsav Mandal, who owns a Yamaha motorbike and a Xylo car, said he is at work throughout the day. "People like me will have to make a special trip to the petrol pump during lunch break and fill the tank to capacity lest it run out of fuel at night."

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