Mumbai, Jan. 8 : The strike called by officials of state-run oil firms in the country is affecting the aviation industry badly.

On Thursday, around a dozen flights were delayed for between 45 minutes to an hour, leaving several passengers stranded at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Passengers were harried and troubled as they waited for their flights.

Expressing anger at the state of affairs, some of the passengers said the strike should be called off immediately.

"Information gathered by me, partly it is because of the shortage in fuel supply. So, I think, in the interest of the nation, the strikers should re- consider. All of us are stranded and there seems no end to the suspense," said Kuldeep Nautiyal, a passenger.

"The flight has been delayed by an hour. I don''t know what to do, should I get it (my ticket) refunded or not, I''ll have to just check it out," said Rashid Akhtar, another passenger.

Employees of India''s state-run oil firms are on an indefinite strike since Wednesday over demands for higher pay and perquisites. Operations at four refineries have been hit by the strike.

The strike has also affected fuel supply to the Indian army as the tankers engaged in supplying fuel to the army bases were reportedly stranded in Ambala .

A large number of petrol tankers with signboards reading ''On Army Duty'' stood outside the office of Indian Oil, a state owned oil firm, as their drivers complained of the strike affecting their livelihood.

"We don''t know why the strike has been called. Only the officials can tell us why they are on strike. We are not a part of this strike," said Sant Singh, a petrol tanker driver.

Petrol pump owners in Ambala also expressed concern about the strike affecting fuel supply in the city.

According to Ravinder Singh Dhillon, a petrol pump owner, they would run dry if the strike continues for another two or three days.

According to the Association of Senior Technical Officers, the strike involves 55,000 employees from companies such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)that is into refinery and vending, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) engaged in exploration and its refining subsidiary Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited. (ANI)