Truck drivers in Punjab are now staging protests at oil depots in response to a new law targeting bus and truck drivers. The demonstrations have disrupted oil supply to petrol pumps across the state, with 40% of pumps in Ludhiana already running dry. If the situation persists, all pumps could be out of petrol and diesel by Tuesday, potentially leading to widespread traffic jams.
The new law, enacted by the Central Government, imposes severe penalties, including 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 7 lakh, for drivers involved in fatal road accidents. In opposition to this law, driver associations have initiated protests at oil refineries in Sangrur, Jalandhar, Bathinda, and other locations in Punjab.
As a result, the movement of petrol and diesel vehicles in and out of the depots has nearly ceased, causing a significant impact on petrol pump operations. The driver associations are demanding a review of the contentious law and have vowed to continue their indefinite protest until their demands are met.