Vehicle owners should brace themselves for trouble again. From Monday onwards, you may find it difficult to fill fuel in your vehicle before 9 am or after 5pm, as petrol pumps across the state have announced that they will work only one shift, for an indefinite period.

This will particularly impact motorists commuting long distances. However, petrol will be available for ambulances and other such emergency services, said owners.

Petrol pumps owners are demanding the implementation of a report which recommends increased commission from oil companies.

There are more than 240 petrol pumps in the city, and 3,300 across the state. "The petrol pumps will operate with full efficiency during working hours," said Ravi Shinde, General Secretary of Confederation of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD). He also cautioned motorists to plan their purchases to avoid any inconvenience.

Since April last year, petrol dealers have been agitating for the implementation of the Apurva Chandra Committee report, submitted in January 2011. The committee, appointed in September 2010, recommended a commission of Rs. 393 per kilolitre (1,000 litres) on petrol and Rs. 170 per kilolitre on diesel.

"We have exhausted all avenues of communication and are been left with no option but to cut our costs to meet escalating prices and expenses," said Shinde. 

The report has also recommended certain measures to streamline other issues that have a direct impact on the financial condition of dealers.