New Delhi : A majority of petrol pumps in the city remained closed on Friday to protest against the government's decision to hike VAT on diesel from 12.5% to 20%. As a result, many Delhiites who ran short on fuel were forced to opt for car pools and public transport. Starting May 24, petrol pumps will remain closed on all Mondays to mark their protest and also cut costs.

On Friday, all petrol pumps barring 10 which are company-owned and company operated, remained closed. "I woke up to realise that I was running low on petrol. But all the filling stations near my home were closed. I had no option but to take a lift from a colleague to reach my office in Gurgaon," said Upasna Bhardwaj, a resident of Mayur Vihar.

Dealers, meanwhile, remained firm on their stand. "Our intention is not to make the common man suffer. But we are also helpless. No one is benefiting from the government's decision to increase VAT on diesel. People are paying more, we are suffering losses as a large number of motorists are not getting diesel from NCR, pollution levels are on the rise and the government's revenue has also not increased due to a sharp decline in sales. But the government isn't even giving us a hearing," said Atul Peshawaria, President, Delhi Petrol Dealers Association.

Meanwhile, Delhi finance minister AK Walia met representatives of oil companies on Friday to discuss the issue. Walia was reportedly given sales figures and told that the collections of petrol pumps located near the city borders are the worst hit. The minister has reportedly asked for more details on collections.