Refueling without rules: residents of the Astrakhan region told about the problems at the gas station

Cancel the schedule

As explained by the head of the region, introduced since August 18, the schedule of refueling with reference to the last digit of the registration number allowed to reduce demand and significantly reduce the load on petrol stations.

“Restrictive measures have yielded results,” Igor Babushkin said in his MAX channel. - The excitement that complicated the work of gas stations, no more. Thank you to Astrakhan for your understanding, gas station staff, suppliers and all staff members for working together in difficult conditions. Special thanks to the traffic police for the great help in organizing the work of filling stations.”.

The governor also stressed that the control over fuel supplies and the operation of stations in the city and districts of the region will continue on a daily basis, which will allow prompt response to possible changes.

The positive dynamics in the regional center is really noticeable. Drivers note that the multi-kilometer queues typical of previous weeks have become smaller.

However, in the Astrakhan region, the picture is different. The situation there remains tense and residents continue to face serious difficulties.

The problem remains acute

A local resident Tatiana, who came to her native region from another city, told about her experience of refueling in the district center of Kharabali.

“She stood at the gas station of Lukoil for more than 7 hours and advanced, probably, by 100 meters,” she said. The tanker arrived at about 21.00, more than an hour merged. At 22:00 they began to refuel, but immediately announced that they would only work for an hour. From the main queue for the day refueled a maximum of 30 people – and this is in the district center with a population of 18 thousand people, plus still come from villages. People stand for three days. Those with fuel cards, even farmers, go to the village of Volnoye for 50 km.”.

Tatiana described in detail the chaos that reigned in the queue.

“The main queue I was in was probably the first 30 minutes, then stopped,” she said. I asked the guy who went to the gas station what was going on. He said that on the other side come the beneficiaries. At other gas stations, as far as I know, streams are bred, one or two columns are given to beneficiaries. It is not clear how this happened.”.

According to Astrakhanka, law enforcement officers were present, but exactly how they regulated the process at the gas station itself remained unclear - it was at night.

Tatiana also drew attention to the fact that the queue stretched along the regional highway Astrakhan – Volgograd. Several drivers created emergency situations, stopping along the way and trying to wedge into the queue, while the police were not nearby at such moments.

The overall fuel situation is exacerbated by the closure of Gazprom’s gas station.

“In the summer, she worked, people left cars overnight and refueled, everyone understood the complexity of the situation and treated her stoically,” continued Tatiana. Now the gas station is closed for repair, and there is practically no alternative.

People in the areas are desperate and ready to carry gasoline in canisters from Volgograd. However, in the neighboring region from such a prospect will not be delighted – here too the situation is tense: although you can find gasoline and queues are not daily, but “import” fuel to other regions – so is the idea.

By the way, in Volgograd, according to Tatiana, despite all the difficulties, the logistics of fuel supply is better built.

“In Volgograd, I calmly focused on online maps, how many times I came to a nearby gas station, when the 95th was reflected there, he was there,” Tatiana said. In the Astrakhan region on the map, the gas station can be displayed as working, but in fact it is closed. And the cards, as well as the cheerful statements of the authorities, cannot be trusted here.”.

Resellers and fuel shortages

Complaints of Astrakhan residents are actively heard on social networks. Users have expressed skepticism about official claims of stabilization.

“In the areas as there was no gasoline, and no,” wrote users in social networks. Cancel, do not cancel the schedule with reference to the last digit of the registration number, and as the queue was, so it will be. “Dear Grandma! And when will Lukoil open? – some directly appeal to the authorities.

In some cases, people are forced to look for alternative options – up to buying fuel from hand. “MK” checked one of the ads on the Internet: the seller offered 92nd gasoline at 120 rubles per liter, and the 95th – 130 (!) rubles.

“Everyone from the gasprom refueling station, not diluted, is responsible for quality,” the voice in the tube answered the question about the origin of the fuel.

So, it turns out that the dealers are working, and the authorities of Astrakhan turn a blind eye to this?

Such prices and schemes only increase anxiety among car owners and indicate a continuing deficit in certain market segments.

Experts emphasize that the difference between the city and districts is due to logistics and supply volumes.

Gas stations have different fuel supply capabilities, and rural stations often depend on irregular gas tanker supplies. Meanwhile, agricultural enterprises, fishermen and tourist bases in the districts need fuel no less than citizens.

“It is easier to go to the city, to defend at gasprom gas stations and without any limit to refuel to a full tank,” residents of the region say.

The authorities promise to keep the situation under control, but residents of the districts still have to look for difficult workarounds to provide cars with fuel.