Hyderabad: Truckers operating oil tankers that supply petrol and petroleum products in Telangana state — who went on a strike from Tuesday against the Motor Vehicles Act, 2023, which introduced increased punishments in hit-and-run cases — agreed to withdraw the strike by Tuesday evening, bringing palpable relief to motorists, who rushed to fuel stations to stock up.
While the strike was called off in Telangana state due to the intervention of the Telangana Petrol Dealers Association, it continued in other states of the country.
A heavy rush was witnessed across petrol pumps in the city on Tuesday as people started queueing up to get their share of fuel, given the announcement of a strike by trucker unions across the country. Many fuel stations ran out of petrol and diesel by midday, leading to panic and frenzy. Some fuel stations imposed restrictions on the number of litres per person, to ensure fairer distribution.
There are over 5.8 lakh goods vehicles in Telangana state, of which 1.8 lakh are heavy goods vehicles that include oil tankers. On Tuesday midnight, they went on strike without prior notice, demanding that the Centre withdraw the bill introducing a 10-year jail term and Rs 7 lakh fine in hit-and-run cases.
Alluri Ravi Shankar, general secretary (all India) of Bharatiya Private Transport Masdoor Maha Sangh, said: “We called for the strike of oil tankers throughout India starting zero hours of Tuesday and requested other private transport organisations to support us by taking part in a wholesale strike on Wednesday. The government should come for talks and withdraw the bill.”
Manchireddy Rajendar Reddy, the president of Telangana Lorry Owners’ Association, said: “Because of the new Act, truck drivers will hesitate to aid victims in accident cases. While many stop and help victims, mobs attack and kill the drivers. The new law should be taken back.”
Members of the Telangana Petrol Dealers’ Association said that the shortfall in the city took place due to public panic and that normalcy was restored by Tuesday night.
Marri Amarender Reddy, the president of Telangana Petrol Dealers’ Association, said: “By 4 pm, two of the three oil tanker associations who supply petrol and diesel from oil corporations agreed to withdraw the strike. By 6 pm, the third union also agreed.”
“Oil tankers are already at supply stations, which are situated at Charlapally and Ghatkesar. By late night, all petroleum pumps will be having the sufficient oil. The shortage in the pumps was caused because people got panicky and rushed to the pumps and filled the tanks, necessitating extra fuel than the required (on a normal day).”
