Shillong: Shillong motorists are turning into scavengers. The search for high-performance fuel now requires a cross-town hunt from Malki to Mawblei. Riders want premium fuel like XP95 or Power, but local pumps are coming up empty. Fuel quality is taking a hit. Many engines struggle with the standard E20 blend now saturating the market.
A simple refill costs more but covers less ground. One commuter noted that a 500-rupee purchase that lasted a week now runs dry in four days. The machine protests with rough acceleration and a labored rhythm. Finding a solution is hard. Many stations display handwritten signs confirming shortages. At one stop, an attendant simply said, "Bah, ym donPower."
Only a lucky few find premium gas in outskirts like Mawblei. Most riders lack the time to trek across the city for a better tank of fuel. The scarcity of alternatives leaves drivers with no real say. People are not choosing the E20 blend out of preference. They are being forced to use it because the pumps have nothing else to sell.
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