People across Kashmir Sunday complained of shortage of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders, even as the divisional commissioner ordered rationing of products “in the wake of closure of the highway”.
People in large numbers thronged petrol outlets to stock up fuel but had to return disappointed owing to shortage of supplies.
“I feel lucky to find some vegetables, pulses and medicines but couldn’t find petrol for my car. I have purchased goods for next one week as people say something may happen in Kashmir,” said Basit Ahmad, a resident of LalChowk.
Despite an assurance from the divisional administration that sufficient stocks of LPG and fuel were available, consumers accused the government of creating confusion. They said a severe shortage of fuel is compounding their problems in times of uncertainty. “On the one hand, the governor says there is no stock of LPG and fuel but on the other, the divisional commissioner claims there are 14,000 LPG cylinders available, apart from sufficient stocks of fuel”. More than 700 oil tankers are stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar highway which has caused the shortage of supplies, said a fuel dealer. “We have to send back customers from petrol outlets as most of them have run out of stocks. We hope the fuel supply is restored soon,” said Bilal Ahmad Bhat, a spokesman of the Kashmir Valley petroleum dealers’ association.
According to officials of oil marketing companies, there is daily requirement of 34,000 LPG cylinders in Kashmir. However, the Valley is receiving only a few hundred cylinders right now as dozens of trucks laden with LPG cylinders are stuck on the highway for the past several days. “Our trucks are being asked to travel through the old highway route instead of Nashri tunnel and because of landslides near Kud, fuel tankers and LPG-laden trucks are stuck. We have urged the administration to allow the fuel supply on priority,” said an OMC official, wishing anonymity.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, who called an informal meeting of the state administrative council (SAC) Sunday said supply situation of petroleum and other products in Kashmir, is “critically low”.The governor said the availability of petrol in the Valley is “adequate to meet the needs for just one day and that of diesel for four days and there is no stock of LPG in the Valley”. “This is a result of the earlier blockage of the highway for seven days and the ongoing blockage for the past four days, leading to disruption of supplies from Jammu to Srinagar. The government is taking measures to enhance the supplies to the Kashmir region. However, as a precautionary measure, the divisional commissioner, Kashmir has rationed the petrol and diesel supply so as to conserve whatever is available for emergency purposes. Steps are being taken to increase the availability of stocks in the Kashmir Valley,” Malik said.
When contacted, director, consumer affairs and public distribution Muhammad QasimWani said LPG and fuel supplies will be restored once there is smooth movement of traffic on the highway. “We are hopeful that by tomorrow (Monday) the supplies will resume and we will have stocks for at least two weeks,” said Wani.
Meanwhile, divisional commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan Sunday morning said that rationing of petroleum products in the division has been ordered “because of persistent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway and not for any other reason”. He appealed the general public not to “heed rumours suggesting shortages or depletion thereof as there is no truth to these at all”. He said continuous efforts are underway to fully restore the highway and the rationing order will be withdrawn as soon as the highway is fully restored. He urged the general public not to panic and sought their cooperation.