The petrol shortage in Hyderabad has ignited widespread panic buying, leading to long queues at petrol stations and even fuel rationing, despite government assurances that there is no fuel shortage in Telangana. The situation escalated over the weekend, with many residents flocking to petrol pumps after rumors of a fuel crisis circulated on social media.

As a result of this panic buying, several petrol stations across the city ran out of fuel, displaying ‘no stock’ signs. Reports indicate that some stations began rationing fuel sales, limiting purchases to just 150–200 litres for two-wheelers. This has left many motorists frustrated, with some waiting for over 25 minutes to fill their tanks.

According to the Civil Supplies Department, the daily consumption of petrol in Telangana is estimated at 35 lakh litres, while diesel consumption stands at 45 lakh litres. There are approximately 3,600 petrol pumps across the state, with around 900-1,000 located in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) region. Normally, each pump sells between 10,000-12,000 litres of petrol daily.

On a day marked by panic buying, one petrol pump reported selling 13,000 litres by 6 PM, highlighting the surge in demand. “I came here after seeing posts about a fuel shortage on social media,” said a local resident, A Narendra, reflecting the influence of misinformation.

Stephan Reveendra, the Commissioner of the Civil Supplies Department, urged the public to refrain from panic buying, stating, “I urge the public not to engage in panic buying.” Despite these reassurances, the situation has led to significant disruptions, with temporary stock issues reported in areas like Bahadurpura and Mir Alam.

Oil companies did not supply fuel over the weekend due to holidays, exacerbating the situation. Marri Amarender Reddy, president of the Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association, criticized the oil companies for imposing sudden restrictions that affect ordinary citizens during such a critical time.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact reason for the sudden surge in demand, and the timeline for when normal fuel supply will resume is uncertain. The Civil Supplies department maintains that the fuel supply mechanism is functioning normally, yet the public’s anxiety continues to fuel the chaos at petrol stations.

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Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has been vocal in urging the public not to succumb to panic. “There is enough stock of petrol and diesel available in the state and so people need not do hoarding or panic,” he stated, emphasizing that the government is closely monitoring the fuel supply situation. His comments come as approximately 30-40% of retail outlets in Gujarat face supply issues due to logistical difficulties, yet the overall supply remains stable.

The Indian Oil Corporation has also confirmed that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available in the region, countering the rumors that have led to widespread panic. “These are not dry outs. We have checked it from the field and all petrol pumps are working normally and adequate fuel is available at all such facilities,” said Sujata Sharma, a spokesperson for the corporation. This reassurance is crucial as many residents have been misled by misinformation circulating on social media platforms regarding fuel availability.

The panic buying situation has been exacerbated by a sudden change in payment systems implemented by oil marketing companies, which has left some petrol pumps temporarily shut down due to supply issues. The advance payment policy was introduced as a response to refining losses faced by these companies, further complicating the situation for consumers.

Amidst the chaos, the price of crude oil has surged from USD 60 to USD 118-120 per barrel, a significant increase that has raised concerns about the future of fuel prices. However, officials have reiterated that India currently has a 70-day reserve of crude oil, indicating that there is no immediate threat of a fuel shortage. The government is fully prepared to ensure that petrol and diesel are available at all pumps, with regular review meetings being held to assess the situation.

As the situation unfolds, citizens are urged to remain calm and not to pay attention to the rumors being spread through social media or WhatsApp. Harsh Sanghavi has called for a collective effort to dispel misinformation, stating, “People should not pay attention to rumours being spread through social media or WhatsApp.” This call to action is essential as the government works to stabilize the supply chain and restore normalcy.

The wider picture

The panic was reportedly caused by misinformation related to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has raised global concerns about oil supply. As the situation continues to develop, observers are keenly watching how the government will address the logistical challenges faced by fuel retailers and the impact of rising crude oil prices on local markets. With the assurance of sufficient reserves and a commitment to transparency, officials hope to quell the fears of the public and restore confidence in the fuel supply system.

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