Bengaluru: Drivers rush to fill tanks before strike starts

Bengaluru: On Wednesday night, all the fuel stations of the city had long queues till 2 am, as drivers rushed to fill their tanks before the petroleum dealers’ strike.

According to Mr. Guruprasad Shetty, a fuel station manager in Malleshwaram, he was able to close his station only around 2.15 am on Thursday as there was a long queue.“Everyone assumed that we would not be able to operate from Thursday. But we have stock till Friday afternoon. The situation is expected to become grim between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning,” he said.

No alternatives: According to the petroleum dealer association members, they have no option. “This strike is part of the national strike. We want justice,” said Mr. Ravindranath, president.

An owner of a fuel station said that till the last few years owning a fuel station was a prestige issue. “But today they have become like white elephants. There is also news that several MNCs are foraying into the retail oil business. So we want our demands to be met,” he explained.

Working class hit worst
According to employees working in private firms, they will be the worst victims of this strike. “I am working in an IT company in Electronic city. Generally I opt for any of the app-based cab service providers, as there is no office transport facility. If cabs go off the road I am left with no option except to apply for leave,” said Ms. Shrivalli, a resident of Rajajinagar.

Vehicle supervisors of the private companies also feel the same way. “We have around 14 vehicles to pick up and drop the employees. If diesel stock becomes empty by Friday afternoon, we fear many of our drivers cannot offer service. We hope the problem will be resolved by Monday,” said a facility manager of an IT company from Bommanahalli.