NARMADAPURAM: Long queues of tractors and harvesters were seen at fuel stations in Narmadapuram on Tuesday as farmers sought diesel for harvesting and field preparation work during the ongoing agricultural season.
At a fuel station on the Narmadapuram-Pipariya state highway, a queue of vehicles stretched for nearly 200 metres, causing delays and traffic congestion in the area. Motorists seeking petrol also faced inconvenience due to the heavy rush.
Farmers said they had been waiting for several hours to refuel vehicles needed for harvesting moong crops and preparing fields for paddy cultivation. Some said recent restrictions on diesel purchases and container requirements had made the process more difficult.
The rush follows similar scenes reported in parts of the district over the weekend, when large numbers of tractors and harvesters gathered at fuel stations, affecting traffic movement.
Fuel station operators said demand for diesel had increased significantly because of seasonal agricultural activities. Some outlets also experienced temporary supply constraints, contributing to longer waiting times.
Under regulations aimed at preventing hoarding and black-market sales, diesel purchases exceeding 200 litres are restricted and fuel can be supplied only in PESO-approved containers.
District officials said diesel stocks in the district remain adequate and attributed the queues to increased consumption during the harvesting season and preparation of agricultural fields.
