Kolkata: Several petrol pumps in the city and South Bengal have gone dry following the strike by oil tanker operators which entered its fourth day today (Sep 9, 2004) forcing many public transport vehicles to go off the road.

Bus operators said while the bus service was normal by and large, some buses have been taken off.

The city and entire South Bengal will face a crisis of petroleum products if the strike continues today, a spokesman of the oil companies said in Kolkata.

''The oil companies have already sought the intervention of the State Government and we are expecting a call from State Transport Minister Subhas Chakaborty during the day,'' he said.

The spokesman said efforts were made to maintain some supply of diesel and petrol to the pumps by the small fleet of tankers belonging to the oil companies.

The oil tanker operators have gone on a flash strike from September 6 in protest against the oil companies decision not to allow tankers more than 15 years old to carry petroleum products due to safety reasons.