Conflict Between Dealers & Oil Companies Leads To Shutdowns
A view of the closed petrol pump during a shutdown as part of a statewide protest against alleged arbitrary decisions and harassment by oil marketing companies in Guwahati
Guwahati: Petrol pump closures have disrupted daily commutes and affected app-based drivers across the city.Fuel supply in the city was hit after dealers went on strike over a dispute with oil marketing companies.Residents said they were struggling to refuel, forcing them to seek alternative transport or travel long distances to find open stations. Two-wheeler and private-vehicle users said uncertainty over the resumption of services added to their concerns.“I had a very important day at work in Guwahati, but when I reached the petrol station, I found that it was closed. I had to travel all the way to Jorabat to refuel, spending extra fuel just to get my tank filled, as the petrol pumps there, which fall under Meghalaya, are open,” said Arnab Bodo, a city resident.Biju Kalita, another resident, said, “I have been roaming from Zoo Road to Panbazar; all the stations are closed. It is a harassment as now I have to spend extra money on travelling.”App-based cab and two-wheeler taxi drivers said the difficulty in refuelling reduced their ability to accept and complete rides, causing income losses.“I cannot afford to spend hours searching for fuel or travel long distances just to get my tank filled. Every hour that I am unable to take rides means a loss of earnings, and this directly affects my livelihood,” said Rezaul Malik, an app-cab driver in Guwahati.Petrol dealers in Assam have threatened an indefinite shutdown from Nov 23, alleging that oil marketing companies are arbitrarily stopping supplies and taking action against dealers without due legal process. The dealers demanded that oil companies honour 10-12 memorandums of understanding signed with state govt and dealers. They also alleged that company officials were remotely disabling dispensing units through automation systems without proper investigations.The dealers said they would approach the court if necessary and warned that the agitation could spread to other districts if their demands remained unaddressed.
