GUWAHATI: In response to the strike by the North-East Petroleum Mazdoor Union, affiliated with AITUC, panic has arisen among the people of Guwahati due to the probability of unavailability of fuel on January 4.
This has come from the response of the union to the recent amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act by the Central Government, imposing severe penalties on drivers in the event of accidents, who have declared a boycott of loading and unloading activities for petroleum products throughout Guwahati and Northeast as a causality.
This has caused severe panic and ruckus among the general population around the lack of availability of fuel for two days on January 5 and 6. Massive rush was seen in the petrol pumps throughout the city on January 4 with residents thronging in massive queues to stock their vehicles with fuels, in case of a scene of unavailability.
Talking to GPlus, a worker at a local petrol station said, “The depots are not going to be closed. We have sufficient stock of fuel available for public but people started rushing in thinking that we will be out.”
The manager of a popular petrol pump in Guwahati while speaking to GPlus said, “These things at times are not in our hands and we cannot control them. We have to see how this strike affects the flow of things but I am pretty sure most fuel stations in Guwahati are equipped to handle such situations temporarily.”
Residents have also fallen prey to the current situation with many unable to understand the situation and thereby rushing to the nearest petrol pumps to stock up on fuel in their vehicles.
Speaking to GPlus, a local from Bhangagarh said, “If such a strike occurs without any communication obviously we as people will panic. Because, if fuel will not be available it will be difficult for us to travel and go anywhere. We are working people and have to traverse through the city throughout the day, so the availability of petrol is a big issue for us.”
As the situation proceeds with the Petrol Mazdoor strike, it remains to be seen if the city commute and functions run smoothly or if the strike brings the city to a halt.
