Fuel shortage hits Bhatkal and other parts of state as refineries upgrade

May 06, 2015 | Correspondent | Bhatkallys News Bhatkal: Several areas in north Karnataka are facing petrol and diesel shortage on account of delayed supplies as operation of five refineries have been affected due to technical upgrade or maintenance shutdowns amid a unusual spike in demand. Shortages have been reported from Bhatkal as petrol pumps displayed no stock board 2 to 3 times this week leading to panic buying. Some fuel stations were closed, as result of which long queues were seen at the ones that stayed open. In Belagavi, sources said the shortage was due to the sudden shutting down of three major refineries, including one in Gujarat and MRPL. But a top executive of market leader IndianOil said enough stock was built up to cover the shutdown and upgrade periods but some issues regarding supply logistics, especially shortage of rakes, delayed supplies in some cases. "Normal supplies would be restored in a day or so. There is no need for panic." With inputs from TOI - ARF