A feeling of sheer helplessness prevailed among the motorists who queued up at various fuel outlets in the city as oil companies decided to increase petrol prices once again, which came into effect from Thursday midnight.
“Full tank” was the demand by some vehicle owners who rushed to the pumps to fill petrol before the price hike came into effect while some others were seen taking home multiple bottles filled with petrol. They were unanimous in blaming the frequent increase in petrol price.
“There's nothing much people can do about it though it is going to affect their daily lives,” said Sooraj, working in a private bank in the city.
Raveendranath, working with the Postal Department, shared helplessness and angst. “We have no control over the ever-increasing fuel prices, but can only complain about the increased cost of living it entails,” he said.
Christopher, a Naval employee who constantly travels either on his two-wheeler or four-wheeler, said that no matter how many times the fuel price was increased, people who had to depend on private vehicles could not go for public transport overnight. Santhosh, an employee at a petrol pump at Vytilla, said that he had been busy ever since news broke out about the increase in petrol price. Meanwhile, the Youth Congress activists led by its State general secretary Mohammed Shiyas demolished the manager's cabin of a petrol pump at Palarivattom accusing that the pump was closed earlier than usual to profit from selling fuel at new prices. Mr. Shiyas alleged that the pump, which otherwise operated round-the-clock, was closed by around 7.30 p.m. The activists laid siege to the road demanding the opening of the pump.
Later, the police arrived at the scene and the pump was opened. However, the Palarivattom police said that the pump closed only at the usual closing time.
The DYFI activists also organised protests at various parts of the city.
