Lucknow:Despite reports of the truckers’ strike being called off late on Tuesday night, urban centers across Uttar Pradesh witnessed a surge in panic-buying, impacting fuel stations and essential supplies. The strike, a response to provisions in the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita regarding hit-and-run cases, led to chaos and long queues at most filling stations.
Cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Unnao, and Hardoi experienced a rush of vehicles seeking “full-tank” refills. Lucknow Petrol Diesel Dealers’ Association reported fast depletion of stocks, predicting that all pumps might exhaust their stocks by Wednesday afternoon. Police deployment at filling stations aimed to prevent scuffles amid heightened demand.
The truckers’ protest not only affected fuel availability but also disrupted the supply chain for fruits and vegetables. Cities dependent on supplies from other regions experienced a scarcity, with vegetable and fruit prices in Lucknow and other places witnessing a 20 to 30 percent hike.
Protests by truckers turned violent on the Agra Lucknow Expressway, resulting in stone-pelting and disruptions. In Kanpur, the striking truckers forced commercial vehicles off roads, affecting commuters and leading to increased pressure on alternative transportation like Kanpur Metro.
Chakarpur Mandi, a crucial wholesale market in Kanpur, faced severe supply disruptions, causing a significant rise in potato and onion prices. The impact extended to Varanasi, where truck drivers blocked roads, causing traffic congestion from Rohaniya to Rajatalab and Mohansarai to Akhri.
Kanpur witnessed a shortage of milk supply, affecting not only the city but also Prayagraj and Varanasi. Of the 267 filling stations in Kanpur, 20 percent reportedly ran out of fuel due to frenzied buying. The situation prompted armed escorts for the depots of major oil companies.
The repercussions of the truckers’ strike highlight the vulnerability of essential services to disruptions and underscore the need for strategic interventions to address the challenges arising from such protests.
