Tamil Nadu , especially Chennai has been experiencing shortage of diesel for several weeks now. According to Government sources, the present crisis is due to power shortage. Many industrial units and IT companies are overdrawing diesel for their generator sets.

Whatever is the reason, the fact remains that one could see long-winding queues in front of several diesel/petrol outlets. Some bunks follow their own informal rationing. In this worst affected are the truck operators. In spite of the assurances of the Government, diesel continues to be in short supply.



And, now the Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association has decided to make travel even more difficult. The Association has decided to 'regulate' the working hours of the outlets. They will work only from 6 am to 10pm. They will not work on Sundays and national holidays.

According to the Association, the demand for petrol/ diesel in Chennai has increased by forty per cent over that of last year. Similarly, demand in other cities in the state is higher by twenty per cent and in villages, by ten per cent. The Oil Companies however have been maintaining the supply at last year's level. This is the reason for the shortage, says the Association.

From the days when the first car started moving on Chennai's roads, we have petrol outlets working 24x7, all 365 days. The latest move of the Association will formalize the shortage of fuel. It will signal the beginning of the end of the days of happy travelling.