The panic was reportedly caused by misinformation related to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has raised global concerns about oil supply. Long queues were witnessed at fuel stations across Ahmedabad as residents rushed to fill their tanks amid fears of a petrol shortage.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi urged citizens not to panic over rumors of fuel shortages. “There is enough stock of petrol and diesel available in the state and so people need not do hoarding or panic,” he stated. The Indian Oil Corporation also confirmed that adequate stock of petrol and diesel is available in Gujarat, countering the widespread anxiety.
Despite these assurances, approximately 30-40% of retail outlets in Gujarat are facing supply issues due to logistics difficulties. Several petrol pumps in Ahmedabad temporarily shut down, further fueling the 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 Indian Oil Corporation.
The situation was exacerbated by a sudden change in payment systems by oil marketing companies, which led to confusion among consumers. Additionally, the price of crude oil has surged from USD 60 to USD 118-120 per barrel due to the conflict in West Asia, contributing to the uncertainty in the market.
Fuel retailers reported that India has a 70-day reserve of crude oil, indicating no current shortage. However, the advance payment policy for fuel dealers was implemented due to refining losses faced by oil marketing companies, which has complicated the supply chain.
The government is closely monitoring the fuel supply situation and holding regular review meetings to ensure that petrol and diesel are available at all pumps. “The government is fully prepared to ensure that petrol and diesel are available at all pumps,” Harsh Sanghavi reassured the public.
As the situation develops, officials are working to dispel rumors and restore calm among consumers. “People should not pay attention to rumors being spread through social media or WhatsApp,” Sanghavi added. Observers believe that with adequate reserves and government intervention, the panic will subside soon.
