Rising petrol and diesel prices, and reports of fuel shortages in several parts of the country, are posing a serious threat to India’s transport and logistics sector, raising fears of major disruptions to national supply chains.
The fuel crisis across the country has triggered concern within the transport industry, with reports suggesting that a significant number of trucks are being forced off the roads due to fuel availability issues.
Industry leaders have warned that the situation could gradually cripple transport operations across multiple regions if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
A cascading effect on the economy
Expressing alarm over the growing crisis, Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor and former president of All India Motor Transport Congress, said the sector is already under severe financial pressure due to rising operational costs and stagnant freight rates.
“The transport sector across the country is already under severe financial stress. The present fuel shortages and restrictions on diesel supply to commercial vehicles may create a cascading effect on the entire economy,” Singh said.
He also warned that any interruption in diesel supply to commercial vehicles would directly affect the movement of essential goods and industrial supply chains, impacting manufacturing activities, imports, exports and broader economic operations.
Highlighting the concerns about the disruptions, Singh also said, “Commercial vehicles must receive an uninterrupted and adequate fuel supply without restrictions or stoppages. Any disruption in truck movement directly impacts supply chains, essential commodities, manufacturing activities, imports, exports and overall economic movement.”
Rising fuel prices might cause a severe impact on the transport sector
The transport body cautioned that failure to resolve the issue immediately could result in severe transportation bottlenecks and even partial standstill of logistics operations across critical sectors.
Singh also appealed to both the Central and State governments, along with oil marketing companies and relevant authorities, to intervene urgently and ensure smooth fuel availability for commercial transport vehicles.
He added, “We urge the government and oil marketing companies to take proactive measures to stabilise the situation before it is too late.”
Industry stakeholders stressed that uninterrupted truck movement remains vital for sustaining India’s supply chain network, industrial production and timely distribution of essential commodities, warning that prolonged disruption could have widespread economic consequences.