Hyderabad: Due to fuel shortage, long queues formed at petrol pumps in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The ongoing protest by truck drivers against a provision of the new penal law relating to road and vehicle accidents resulted in long queues at petrol terminals in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The protests have led to disruption in the supply of gasoline and diesel across the state, affecting fuel availability in the city.

G Vinay Kumar, president of the Association of Gasoline Distributors of Telangana State, highlighted the increase in supply of gasoline and diesel due to the salaries of truck drivers.

The shortage caused the city’s automobilists to rush to gasoline stations, leading to a large number of calls to obtain gasoline and diesel. The increase in demand has also contributed to heavy traffic congestion on the roads. Kumar indicated that the shortage could last for at least a week before the protests end.

The truck drivers’ dissatisfaction stemmed from a provision of the Indian Code, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code. The contentious provision imposes severe penalties, including a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine of Rs 7 lakh, on drivers involved in serious traffic accidents who drive recklessly and then leave the scene without informing the authorities.