Kanpur: A dumper crashed into a parked Bharat Petroleum tanker on Kanpur’s Gujaini Highway on Friday night, spilling petrol and sparking a frenzy among locals amid fuel crisis rumours.As word of the spill spread, locals rushed to the scene with containers, eager to collect free petrol. Chaos erupted as people scrambled to grab fuel from the abandoned tanker, pushing and shoving each other in the process. Some even hurled abuses, while others made off with stolen petrol.Police intervened, dispersing the crowd, but not before a massive five-kilometer traffic jam built up on the highway.According to Govindnagar police, the tanker, carrying fuel from Raipur depot to Banda, had stopped on the Gujaini Highway around 9 pm on Friday due to a mechanical issue. The driver had parked it on the side when a speeding dumper crashed into it, rupturing the tank and spilling petrol on the road.Police informed Bharat Petroleum officials, and employees who reached the spot sealed the leak in the damaged tanker using soap and silver tape. Police, with the help of local people, moved the tanker to the side. The driver informed the police and company officials. Later, in the presence of the fire brigade, a second tanker was called and the process of emptying the petrol began. As a safety measure, police diverted traffic.Govindnagar inspector Rikesh Kumar Singh said the accident triggered a massive 5-km traffic jam on the highway, stretching from Bhaunti to Naubasta. Struck motorists vented their frustration, while others took alternative routes to bypass the chaos. Traffic police and locals joined forces to clear the jam, and by midnight, vehicles were slowly moving again.
