Shillong, Aug 21: Petrol stations in Shillong and other parts of the state saw a rush of demand today after the news emerged that the North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union had decided on an indefinite cessation of loading and unloading of products for Meghalaya until peace is restored.
Long queues were seen at different petrol stations in the city as consumers looked to stock up given the uncertainty in supply. Some fuel pumps were already running dry by the evening.
Meanwhile, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has instructed Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers to coordinate with oil marketing companies and retail outlets within their respective jurisdictions in order to ensure that a reserve stock of fuel is on hand for emergency service vehicles.
Each retail outlet may, as far as practicable, maintain a reserve stock of 5,000 litres of petrol and the same amount of diesel for emergency vehicles if and when required.
This, the department said, is normal practice in ensuring that the emergency services can function smoothly. “Normal retail sale and distribution of petrol and diesel shall continue as usual,” it said in its order.
