Authorities in Siberia’s republic of Altai have introduced a digital tracking system to monitor drivers’ compliance with gasoline rationing measures amid Russia’s nationwide fuel crisis.
Governor Andrei Turchak said the 24-hour limit on filling up at gas stations will enter into force on Thursday. As part of the tracking system, drivers will be required to present vehicle registration cards to purchase gasoline and diesel at local gas stations.
“This is necessary to curb the panic buying and surging demand we are currently seeing in [the regional capital of] Gorno-Altaysk and across all districts of the republic,” he wrote on Telegram.
A two-month fueling cap has been in effect at gas stations in the republic of Altai since July 1.
Districts that represent 60% of the region’s population of around 210,000 people are limited to 30 liters (8 gallons) of gasoline and 50 liters (13 gallons) of diesel per driver per day. The remaining districts are capped at 50 liters (13 gallons) of gasoline and 100 liters (26 gallons) of diesel per driver per day. Filling up jerry cans or canisters, which also requires a vehicle registration card, is limited at 10 liters (2.5 gallons).
Drivers found to be exceeding those limits will be fined, Turchak warned. The rationing measures are expected to end on Sept. 1, unless further extended.
“We need to ensure that the established restrictions are followed at the pumps and that everyone is on a level playing field,” Turchak wrote.
He noted that essential services like ambulances, rescue workers, police and farmers are exempt from the restrictions, and added that regional government officials will be cutting down on travel and meeting via video conference.
Despite the rationing measures, Turchak claimed the republic of Altai has a “secured reserve stock” of fuel with daily deliveries to gas stations.
Elsewhere, reports emerged that gas stations in the Nizhny Novgorod region and Lipetsk region were looking to follow the Oryol region in introducing an alternating schedule where vehicles with license plates starting with odd numbers would only be allowed to refuel on odd days. Even days are reserved for vehicles with license plates starting with even numbers and 0.
Russia has been suffering from acute fuel shortages in its regions as Ukraine wages a drone campaign against its oil refineries and energy infrastructure, with Kyiv hitting targets ever further from its own territory.
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