“In the case of petrol, the quantity supplied has been reduced by 50 per cent, which spread panic among the public. Hence, when they find a bunk that has fuel stock, they try to fill their tanks and even cans to tide over the ‘shortage’, which in turn only worsens the situation,” said a dealer.

There are also bulk buyers like factories and institutions that take off huge quantities of diesel. “We cannot prevent them from buying in bulk as they are our regular customers and also, there is a lot of money already tied up as credit in the business with them. So if we say no, they will hesitate to make the payments for the stock they have already bought, which will hit us even harder,” reasoned a fuel station manager.

Oil companies said that a delay in the import of fuel parcels was affecting the supply, leading to the present shortage, but the situation was expected to improve in the coming days. However, dealers point out that the proposed national strike by lorries and tankers from midnight, Monday, may hamper the movement of fuel, worsening the situation.

Meanwhile, a lorry and tipper lorry owners association has urged the CM to intervene and solve the crisis.