Out of fuel

It had to happen. Over the past couple of months, there have been reports - and rumours - of petrol bunks refusing to pump regular petrol, but forcing people to buy the more expensive premium brands. Erratic supply of petrol and diesel had resulted in stock-outs at a few of the bunks. However, since Monday evening, the fuel supply system to the city was thrown completely out of whack. Vehicles began to tank up, fearful of running dry; seeing the queues, more vehicles joined them, 'just in case'.

Last morning the queues began early; by about 9 o'clock, traffic had become completely messy, with everyone trying to squeeze into the nearest petrol bunk. Apart from the traffic police, other units were also brought in at some bunks to protect them from the wrath of the waiting crowd, when they actually emptied their stocks. Things were looking somewhat dangerous as other cities in the state also began to report shortages.

Thankfully, the fevers eased off a bit with the announcement that about 25% more fuel than normal was being sent in to Chennai on Wednesday - and also the news that a tanker with 30,000 kilolitres of diesel was berthing at Chennai port on Tuesday evening. I wonder if all the trucks had gone directly to the docks for their fuel supply!