Workers' strike sparks fuel crisis in India

New Delhi: Fuel stations in Indian cities ran out of stock on Friday as state oil employees staged a third-day protest for better pay.

"We had some discussions but we are yet to reach a conclusion," Sarthak Behuria, the chairman of Indian Oil Corporation said after talks with the petroleum minister.

More than 45,000 employees at government-run oil companies stopped work on Wednesday to press for higher pay.

Motorists formed long lines outside other filling stations, while scores of flights were delayed because of refuelling difficulties. There were also fewer taxis on the roads.

The president of the Mumbai Petrol Dealers Association, Ravi Shinde, said around 60 per cent of petrol and diesel outlets in the city were already out of stock.