May 29, 2012. Shipping Minister G K Vasan met Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy and asked him to take urgent steps to ease the current petrol and diesel shortage being witnessed in Chennai and suburban areas. Vasan said there was a 'mismatch' which led to the current shortage, putting the people to severe hardship. Reddy assured him that besides bringing petrol and diesel through ships, additional supplies would be made available by road and that the situation is expected to be streamlined, Vasan said.