Even as some petrol stations in the Northern Emirates continued to turn away motorists for the sixth day, the effects of fuel shortage were beginning to be felt in Dubai as well, according to a report in 'Khaleej Times'.

Several outlets in Deira and Rashidiya ran dry on Monday, the report added.

Most of the affected stations only sold diesel and offered services such as car washes, oil change, etc.

A driver of Arabia Taxi was quoted as saying that he was "able to secure petrol from Emirates Petroleum in Bur Dubai after an hour of searching around Deira and Rashidiya".

Meanwhile, Razeem, Assistant Manager, Emarat in Bur Dubai, said the supply of petrol at the Bur Dubai station had gone up from 30,000 litres before the shortage in Sharjah and other emirates to 52,000 litres now. 

Khalid Hadi, Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Enoc, told 'Al Bayan', that fuel shortage in some of its stations was due to the upgrade operations the company is carrying out at its 170 stations. As most of these outlets have six to 10 pumps, it has been taking a long time and hence the delay.

The firm has completed about 35 per cent of the upgrades and maintenance work in most of the outlets in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, he added.

He said that 84 stations are being upgraded with improved dispensing equipment and the resulting disruptions are expected to last for the next two to three weeks.

Maintenance work will begin in Dubai once the ongoing work is completed in Sharjah and Northern Emirates, reports Gulf News.

Enoc and Eppco stations in Dubai could experience similar disruptions, which will last for about one month, said the daily.

However, not all the fuel stations will undergo upgrading. The new Enoc and Eppco stations already have the latest systems. There are 86 stations in Dubai and only the older ones will be upgraded, said Hadi.