Fuel sales limits have been reintroduced in Astrakhan.
Gasoline sales limits of 40 liters have been reintroduced at gas stations in Astrakhan and other cities in the region. Some city gas stations are returning to limited operating hours.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", a severe fuel shortage was observed in Astrakhan in mid-July, but on July 21, the governor of Astrakhan region announced an increase in the gasoline sales limit to 40 liters per person and the opening of all "Lukoil" gas stations in Astrakhan. On July 28, "Gazprom" completely lifted restrictions at its gas stations in Astrakhan, Volgograd, and Rostov regions, as well as in Krasnodar and Stavropol territories. On the same day, the system of refueling cars on even and odd days was canceled in Astrakhan region, and gas stations returned to round-the-clock operation. On August 1, drivers told "Caucasian Knot" that there are no longer any queues or limits at gas stations in Astrakhan.
The authorities of Astrakhan region, amid the gasoline shortage, introduced a system of refueling at gas stations on even and odd days depending on the last digit of the car's number. After this measure was implemented, queues at gas stations did not decrease, and drivers wait in line even at non-operating gas stations in hopes of buying fuel. Due to the fuel problem, residents of Astrakhan have started using their personal cars less frequently, walking more, and taking buses, users of social media reported.
City gas stations in Astrakhan region are again reducing their operating hours and limiting fuel sales to 40 liters per vehicle. Representatives of the "Lukoil" and "Gazprom" gas station networks proposed such measures, reported Governor Igor Babushkin.
According to the official, he listened to reports from representatives of fuel supply companies and agreed with the proposal.
"This will help reduce seasonal and residual panic demand from the previous wave of restrictions and stabilize fuel supplies. (...) A temporary limitation on operating hours will prevent subsequent destabilization of the fuel distribution system," he wrote on his Telegram channel.
Babushkin also promised to publish current schedules for gas station operations, emphasizing that restrictions are necessary "to prevent a deterioration of the situation."
It should be noted that due to the fuel crisis, drivers in the southern regions of Russia have started to convert their cars to gas en masse, leading to long queues at auto repair shops. Analysts have previously noted that long waiting times force motorists to turn to "gray" installers who do not guarantee the safety of the equipment.