The impact of escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran is now being felt in Punjab as well. An atmosphere of chaos regarding petrol and diesel supplies has emerged in several cities across the state. Reports have surfaced indicating that three petrol pumps—including one in Bathinda—have run out of fuel, prompting the pumps to display notices to this effect.
Earlier today, Saturday, a petrol pump located in the Rani Ka Bagh area of Amritsar ran out of petrol. Similarly, the Bansal Petrol Pump in Bathinda has also exhausted its stock. It is worth noting that prior to this, two pumps—one each in Jalandhar and Ludhiana—had also run out of fuel. While sales have since resumed at the pump near BMC Chowk in Jalandhar following the arrival of a fresh supply, the pump in Ludhiana reportedly remains closed. According to Ajay, the manager of a petrol pump in Ludhiana, the general public is not currently facing any major difficulties in obtaining fuel; however, the practice of providing supplies on credit—which was previously standard—has now been discontinued. Dealers are now required to make advance payments before any fuel supplies are dispatched to them.
Meanwhile, in Moga, the Department of Food and Civil Supplies has issued an advisory directing petrol pump owners to halt the sale of diesel in drums and cans. The department believes that this measure will help curb hoarding and black-marketing. However, the Petrol Pump Association has opposed this decision, arguing that diesel is frequently used to power generators, motors, and various other types of equipment that cannot practically be transported to a petrol pump for refueling. Consequently, they contend that this decision could exacerbate the difficulties faced by the public.
