Srinagar, Jan 11: Kashmir is facing acute shortage of petrol as hundreds of oil tankers are stranded on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for several days.
“Highway is closed for last several days. Hundreds of trucks and oil tankers are stranded on road for past many days. If weather permits, we will clear the stranded vehicles tomorrow,” said an official of traffic police department.
Most of the fuel stations are running dry across the valley. In Srinagar, many fuel stations had displayed placards reading “no petrol”. Many customers were seen fuming after pump stations pleaded helplessness.
“Oil tankers are not allowed to pass through Chenani-Nashree-Tunnel unlike other trucks. The tankers are compelled to follow old Patnitop stretch which is in a dilapidated state. Hundreds of tankers are stranded on the road,” said Shuja Wani, one of the petroleum dealers.
Wani said almost all petrol pumps in the valley are running dry. “Around 100-200 oil tankers are stranded on the Highway. All three petroleum companies have run out of stock in the valley. Even If any pump station has any stock available, it will dry up within few hours given the rush of people. The blockade of national highway during winters is causing huge inconvenience to the people,” Wani said.
A spokesperson of Kashmir Valley Tank Owner and Petroleum Dealer Association has appealed the authorities to allow fuel tankers to cross through Chenani-Nashree-Tunnel so that they could reach the valley at the earliest.
