Fuel shortage fears trigger long queues across Maharashtra villages
Diesel crisis Maharashtra
India is still going through a very hot summer.
At the same time, worries about fuel running out are causing new problems for people.
You can see long lines of vehicles outside petrol stations all over Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.
And farmers are finding it harder and harder to get diesel before the Kharif farming season starts.
This problem is hitting both cities and villages.
But farmers are still the ones struggling the most.
Petrol stations in Buldhana and Washim districts say a lot of people are asking for diesel.
So, tractors and cans for fuel are lining up for hours.
Even after waiting, many farmers can’t get enough diesel.
One farmer from Dhepud village in Washim district drove 80 kilometers just to find diesel.
He desperately needed the fuel to get his fields ready with his tractor.
But there was no diesel to be found where he lived.
He went to about eight to ten petrol stations.
But none of them would give him diesel in his portable cans.
Eventually, he managed to buy 1,000 rupees worth of diesel at a petrol station in Varshi Takli, Akola district.
His 80-kilometer trip ended up being talked about a lot online because of this.
Meanwhile, worries about fuel are still growing in several other districts.
You’ll see “No Stock” signs at many petrol stations.
On top of that, hundreds of drivers are waiting for hours in temperatures hotter than 45 degrees Celsius.
People are worried that prices will go up or that fuel won’t be available later.
That’s why many people are buying more fuel than they actually need.
Oil companies say they’re supplying fuel as usual.
But some owners of private pumps say they aren’t getting enough fuel delivered.
Plus, rumors on social media have made people even more anxious.
All this has led to panic buying, which puts more strain on the available fuel.
