While several petrol pumps in the region placed ‘out of stock’ boards in front of their stations, auctions of agriculture produces did not take place at marketing yards for the fourth consecutive day.

To add to the woes, private bus operators also went on a strike on Thursday to express solidarity with the truckers.

Supply of petrol and diesel to retail outlets has been severely affected with the employees of 14 oil companies across the country going on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, demanding salary hike.

Meanwhile, 52 marketing yards across Saurashtra have asked farmers not to bring produce, as no auction has been taking place due to unavailability of trucks.

The agitating truckers are demanding abolition of toll taxes and further reduction in diesel price.

According to Rajkot Marketing Yard officials, over 50,000 sacks of groundnut, 35,000 sacks of cotton and 4,000 sacks of sesame have piled up at the sheds. The scene is no different at other major marketing yards in Saurashtra, including Botad, Amreli, Junagadh and Jamnagar.

Rajkot Collector H S Patel, however, said the administration is prepared to ensure that the supply of essential commodities like milk, fuel, vegetables and cereals do not get affected.

A special review meeting of a task force to discuss the prevailing situation and take preventive steps was also convened. The collector said that with truckers issuing threat to snap supply of essential commodities after January 10, the oil companies have been asked to preserve the stock.

Patel ruled out the possibility of stock of essential commodities going out for at least next give days. He said the district would not face shortage of petrol and diesel immediately.