Residents of Dagestan are outraged by the price difference for fuel in the regions.
The cost of gasoline at gas stations in Makhachkala remains at around 130 rubles per liter and is not decreasing, although in other regions fuel is significantly cheaper, drivers noted.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", against the backdrop of the fuel crisis, drivers' expenses on gasoline have increased by at least several thousand rubles a month, Makhachkala residents said. Since July 16, prices for gas at Dagestani gas stations have also started to rise. The Union of Entrepreneurs of Dagestan called on the authorities to take urgent measures to stabilize fuel prices in the market. In recent days, traffic police in Dagestan intensified checks for the presence of marks about gas equipment in vehicle documents, a local driver reported on social media.
The fuel crisis has forced drivers in the southern regions of Russia to massively install gas cylinder equipment (GCE) in their cars. There are long queues at auto repair shops. Earlier, analysts noted that long queues in auto services force drivers to turn to "gray" installers who do not provide safety guarantees.
Over the past week, the price of gasoline in Makhachkala has stabilized and is no longer increasing, car owners told a correspondent for "Caucasian Knot". "On July 23, I filled up with 95 gasoline for 130 rubles, I waited in line for about 10 minutes. Then on the way, I saw a gas station where it was 125 rubles," said a Makhachkala resident Arsen.
"In Makhachkala, prices have been stable in recent days, apparently, there is nowhere else to raise them. I filled up on July 22: 95 gasoline for 130 rubles. AI-92 at this gas station was 125 rubles, gas – 43 rubles. I had to go to Izberbash for business, there AI-95 was 120 rubles, AI-92 – 115 rubles, gas – 40 rubles. Of course, due to rising fuel prices, we have to save on various items in the family budget," reported Rashid.
Driver Maxim recently returned to Makhachkala from a trip to the Stavropol Territory. "There I filled up with gas, it lasted me a long time. Yesterday (July 23) I filled up at a gas station in Makhachkala for 43 rubles. The car started acting up and fuel consumption increased. Apparently, besides gasoline, they have started to "dilute" the gas too. I used to work as a taxi driver at night, but now it’s no longer profitable," he said.
A correspondent for "Caucasian Knot" visited gas stations located on Shamil Avenue in Makhachkala today, on the stretch from the "Trolleybus Ring" to Tashkent Street. Only the "Asko" gas station was operating, where fuel was available, with about 10 cars in line. The price for AI-95 is 130 rubles, AI-92 is 125 rubles, and gas is 42 rubles.
The entrance to the Eko gas station, which announced its opening on July 8, was blocked today, and the station was not operating. The reasons for the closure could not be determined, as there was no staff on site.
More and more private gas stations in the republic are ceasing operations, while the remaining ones maintain high gasoline prices, a resident of Makhachkala stated to "Caucasian Knot" on July 22. "Today in Dagestan, the price tags at gas stations are hanging at 130 rubles per liter. And we are constantly being told about some "logistical costs". What other costs are there at such scales? What kind of control is this if the price difference with central Russia is already more than 50–70 rubles per liter? Because of these prices and closed stations, the entire region is facing a serious crisis," he said.
Journalist Ludmila Magomedova wrote in her Telegram channel that at the gas station where she filled up her car, limits on gasoline sales per person were introduced. A week earlier, she said, there were no limits.
"Now it’s up to 30 liters, I won’t even mention the prices. Not all closed gas stations are sealed. Some have no signs of closure at all. At least hang a banner, write in big letters: NO GASOLINE. Otherwise, cars are standing there, but there is no fuel. Drivers are wasting their time on you for nothing, driving onto the premises. We also google maps with information about the availability/absence of gasoline, but unfortunately, the data is not always current," she reported.
Other residents of the republic are also outraged by the fuel prices in Dagestan. A message from one of the readers was published today in the Telegram channel of the publication "Chernovik".
"Fuel prices - where is your reason, dear authorities of the republic? The government is needed precisely to solve such issues. When it’s election time, you are here. But what about today? The prices are the highest in the country, the salaries are the lowest. And these are your results, the people are not to blame, you are. (...) 135 rubles per liter! More expensive than in Europe. Don’t refer to the fact that the plants are not working. Everything is working. This is proven by prices in other regions. The same gasoline producer sells, say, to the neighboring Stavropol Territory conditionally for 70 rubles per liter, but to Dagestani private sellers for 130? It’s ridiculous!" the publication states.