Petrol pumps across the Capital were either out of supply or had long queues as the nationwide strike by oil PSU executives hit petrol supplies on Thursday. The strike by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) saw petrol pumps exhausting supply by afternoon, while some retail outlets which got their supplies from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) grappled with a huge rush of customers. Most petrol pumps had put up signboards that read ‘sorry no petrol’ by 3 pm.

“We have nearly 410 petrol pumps in the Capital, of which 80 per cent have already run dry and it is feared that 100 per cent will run dry by tomorrow morning,” said Ajay Bansal, general secretary of the Federation of All- India Petroleum Traders.

However, the petrol pumps that were open had to cope with a deluge of customers by evening. “HPCL has limited supply points and is dependant on the IOC and the BPCL. Nearly 99 retail outlets, out of the 410, receive supplies from the HPCL but it is possible that by tonight or early tomorrow morning even their outlets will go dry,” said Bansal.

Anil Bijlani, general secretary of Delhi Petroleum Dealers’ Association, said, “We normally have three days’ stock but with customers hoarding petrol in large quantities, many of the pumps have already run dry. The strike has hit us hard and will bring a lot of harassment for customers,” he added.

“I have got my four-wheeler refuelled completely. If the city runs out of petrol in a few days time, it will really be difficult for us to commute,” said Kishen Singh, a customer at Connaught Place.

Box head
* Avoid panic buying, it affects genuine buyers
* Cut down on travel as far as possible
* Drive at a moderate speed at 40-50 kmph, at higher gears and avoid braking