Motorists had to experience great hardships after the petrol supply ran short in the Punjab capital on Sunday.
Following reduction in the petroleum products prices, long queues of cars and bikes were seen at filling stations which were supplying a limited quota of fuel. The shortage occurred because the private pump owners had refused to open stations and sell petrol at government rates. Skirmishes and exchanges of hot words were seen at various filling stations where motorists were blaming petrol pumps staff of making illegal profits by creating an artificial shortage of fuel. Taking advantage of the situation, staff at Chowk Saffanwala, Ichhra, Sabzazaar Scheme, Saddar, Shahdra, Ravi Road, Garhi Shahu, Dharmpura, Baghbanpura stations sold petrol at exorbitant prices.
A 1.5 litre petrol plastic bottle was priced at Rs 200 to Rs 220. Vehicle owners, who ran out of fuel on roads, faced an awkward situation as some were pushing vehicles with families.
There was no government functionary around to stop filling stations from fleecing people. Motorists appealed to the authorities concerned to take notice of apathy of the pumps owners, take strict action against them and ensure smooth supply of petrol to them.
Petrol shortage hits city
