Truck, bus and taxi operators continued their protests across multiple states for the second day against the new criminal code law related to punishments for hit-and-run accidents. The law provides up to 10 years imprisonment for drivers who flee the scene of a serious accident caused by negligent driving without reporting it, increased from 2 years under the previous regulations.
Long Queues At Petrol Pumps
On Tuesday, long lines were seen at some petrol pumps in Mumbai and Nagpur as people rushed to fill up tanks amid fears of fuel shortage due to the protests by truck drivers.
In Maharashtra, truckers staged “road block” demonstrations in many locations. This raised concerns about potential fuel shortages in some areas. Truck drivers reportedly obstructed traffic on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway in Thane district, resulting in minor injuries to a policeman and damage to a police vehicle. Additional protests occurred in Solapur, Kolhapur, Nagpur and Gondia. The state government has requested police assistance to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies.
Traffic Impacted Across India
In Rajasthan, traffic jams were reported on several highways due to the protests. Operation of some roadways buses was temporarily impacted before resuming following police intervention.
In Madhya Pradesh, drivers gathered for demonstrations in Bhopal and other cities, stopping buses and vehicles. Long lines were seen at some petrol stations amid fears of disrupted fuel delivery.
In Punjab, many commercial trucks and buses refrained from operating on Monday in protest. Truckers initiated a demonstration in Moga, obstructing traffic flow. The protesters are reportedly gaining support from public and private transportation operators in the state.
