Transport body seeks urgent action in parts of Gujarat allegedly hit by diesel shortage
AHMEDABAD: The Akhil Gujarat Truck Transport Association (AGTTA) has written to Gujarat Home and Transport Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi raising concerns over the reported shortage of petroleum products, particularly diesel, in parts of Kutch, Saurashtra, and North Gujarat.
In the letter, association president Vasand Ahir stated that several pumps, especially in remote villages, are either facing severe shortage or have remained shut due to inadequate supply of diesel.
The association warned that the situation is creating major disruptions in transportation of goods and affecting trade, industry and commerce across the state.
The association, which claims to represent nearly 12 lakh small and large commercial vehicle owners through district-level transport organisations and major transporters across Gujarat, said transportation activities linked to ports and cargo movement have also been severely impacted.
AGTTA urged the state government to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products in the affected regions to restore smooth transportation and avoid further disruption in logistics and business operations.
The letter further highlighted that the transport sector is already facing an economic slowdown and many operators are single-vehicle owners whose livelihoods depend entirely on daily transport activity.
The association stated that even one day of halted vehicle operations could lead to serious financial losses for thousands of transport workers and operators across the state.
Long queues of trucks continued to be seen across Kutch for the third consecutive day as diesel shortages disrupted cargo movement between key logistics hubs such as Gandhidham, Mundra, Bhachau and Samakhiyali. The situation has particularly affected transportation linked to India’s major commercial ports at Kandla Port and Mundra Port.
Transporters say the immediate issue is limited diesel availability, but the larger crisis has emerged due to disruptions in the fuel distribution system and the widening gap between bulk and retail diesel prices following tensions in the Middle East.
Following the recent Iran–Israel conflict and the resulting pressure on fuel supply chains, oil marketing companies reportedly withdrew bulk purchase discounts. As a result, bulk diesel prices rose sharply to nearly Rs 128 to Rs 145 per litre depending on suppliers, while diesel at retail pumps continued to sell at around Rs 95 per litre.
The steep price difference forced many transporters and industries to stop bulk purchases, making consumer pump operations financially impractical. Truck operators instead turned to retail petrol pumps for cheaper fuel.
The situation became more complicated after retail fuel stations were also directed not to supply diesel to vehicles linked to consumer pump operators. Fuel station owners say implementing such restrictions is nearly impossible on the ground.
Industry representatives say the supply issue worsened because oil marketing companies allocate diesel to retail pumps based on their average sales from the previous six months. The sudden spike in demand was therefore not matched with additional allocations.
Around 10,000 container trucks reportedly move between Kutch ports and destinations across the country every day, making uninterrupted fuel supply critical for trade movement.
Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Teja Kanga said, “Kutch is a manufacturing and logistics hub and gateway to northern hinterland with a large spectrum of exim goods. The diesel allocation for the district cannot be treated so casually.”
Transporters claim diesel rationing has now become routine, with many trucks receiving only around 50 litres against the nearly 200 litres required for long-distance operations.
Mini trucks, cranes, loaders and cargo-handling vehicles operating inside port premises are also reportedly facing shortages as mobile diesel bowser services have slowed significantly. In several cases, operators are travelling nearly 20 kilometres outside port areas to refuel vehicles, causing delays in cargo handling and customs clearance.
