Truckers’ protest: Maharashtra police to escort fuel tankers

The All India Petrol Dealers Association (AIPDA) Spokesperson Ali Daruwala said a meeting was held in the morning with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis where the decision was taken.

Daruwala said police escort vehicles will be provided for all petrol-diesel tankers leaving from the depots to the 4,500-odd petrol pumps in the state as an immediate step to tide over the crisis.

Besides, at least two constables will be stationed at all petrol pumps to ensure smooth movement of the fuel tankers as well as pacify the huge crowds gathering for a refill.

Since Monday, the first day of the agitation, thousands of milk tankers with chilled or fresh milk stocks, bound for Mumbai from interior Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were stranded or delayed, leading to lakhs of Mumbaikars going without milk or their morning cup of tea-coffee.

The agitation has also hit supplies of fruits, vegetables, and foodgrains in both wholesale and retail markets.

Even in Mumbai, several petrol pumps put up hand-scrawled notices proclaiming ‘No petrol-diesel’, angering the hordes of two-wheeler, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, tempos, trucks, ambulances and other vehicles queuing to fill up.