Bangalore heading for petrol shortage

The erratic supply of petrol in Bangalore has raised the spectre of a fuel shortage in the City, which is home to more than three million vehicles.

With petroleum dealers reporting a decline of about 30 per cent in their regular supplies of petrol and diesel during the last few days, many motorists are forced to make do with premium fuels that are priced higher than the regular fuel.

Since the last two days, a couple of petrol bunks have begun putting “No Stock” boards, leading to an anxiety over fuel shortage among motorists in the City.

Confirming the shortage of petrol, President of Bangalore Petroleum Dealers’ Association Bhushan Narang said the oil companies are unable to source sufficient quantity of fuel to Bangalore during the last few days. “This has led to a 30 per cent decline in supply”, Narang said.

The decline in supplies has unofficially sent a signal to the petrol bunk owners in the City to focus on selling premium quality petrol. The premium brand of petrol costs Rs 61.25 per litre against the regular petrol, which is priced at Rs 57.15, a difference of a good Rs 4 for every litre.

“Several four wheeler owners, who normally fill around 5 litres to 10 litres, go around scouting for regular petrol even if premium petrol is available to avoid coughing up Rs 20 to Rs 40 more”, a petrol bunk owner said.

With the demand for petrol increasing day by day in Bangalore, petroleum dealers fear that the shortage will only turn worse in the coming days.

Petroleum dealers in Bangalore have blamed the prevailing shortage of petrol in Bangalore to the rise in international crude oil prices. “The reason appears to be purely economical. The oil companies wish to sell less fuel so that the losses are less”, petroleum dealers said criticizing the rationing measures adopted by the oil companies.
The shortage of fuel in Bangalore has also begun having a cascading effect on secondary cities of the state with Bellary also reporting a severe shortage of fuel.