Nagpur: The fuel crisis in Nagpur entered its fourth day on Thursday, continuing to show uneven trends across the city. There was brief relief in the morning, with some petrol pumps resuming supply. However, the situation worsened by evening as shortages resurfaced. At least 25 petrol pumps shut down during the day after running out of stock, triggering fresh queues and uncertainty among commuters.In the early hours, motorists reported quicker movement, with waiting time dropping from nearly an hour earlier this week to around 15 minutes at several locations. The reduced rush provided some relief to citizens who were struggling to refuel amid long queues and uncertainty.However, the situation began to worsen again post-noon as fuel stocks at multiple outlets started depleting. By evening, more than 25 petrol pumps across the city reportedly shut down, according to members of the petrol pump association. The closures led to increased pressure on the remaining operational pumps, resulting in queues building up once again in several parts of the city.A ground check across Nagpur revealed a mixed scenario. While some petrol pumps continued to function, many others had downed shutters due to exhausted supplies. Areas such as Manewada, Ayodhya Nagar, Chhatrapati Square, Sitabuldi, and Bole Petrol Pump were among the locations where outlets were found closed or without fuel.Sources from Federation of All Maharashtra Petroleum Dealers Association (FAMPEDA) said the situation was relatively stable in the morning but deteriorated rapidly later in the day. “More than 25 pumps were shut by afternoon. Although oil companies are ready to supply fuel, many dealers are unable to lift stock due to payment-related issues. Earlier, procurement was done on a credit basis, but that has now stopped, leading to a supply bottleneck,” a source said.The halt in credit-based fuel procurement has emerged as a key reason behind the closures, even as fuel availability at the company level remains sufficient. Dealers facing liquidity constraints have been unable to maintain stock, leading to intermittent shutdowns.Meanwhile, motorists at the operational pumps expressed relief as no restrictions were imposed on fuel purchases. Most opted for full-tank refills amid uncertainty over future availability. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as anxiety persists among citizens.
