The petrol shortage in Hyderabad has triggered widespread panic buying, leading to long queues at petrol stations across the city. Despite government assurances that there is no fuel shortage in Telangana, the situation has escalated, with several petrol pumps running out of fuel and displaying ‘no stock’ signs.
Panic buying was ignited by rumors circulating on social media, prompting residents to rush to petrol stations. As a result, some petrol stations began rationing fuel sales, limiting purchases to between 150 and 200 litres for two-wheelers. This has left many motorists frustrated, with some waiting for over 25 minutes just to fill their tanks.
The daily consumption of petrol in Telangana is estimated at 35 lakh litres, with around 3,600 petrol pumps operating across the state. However, oil companies did not supply fuel over the weekend due to holidays, exacerbating the situation. The Civil Supplies department has stated that the fuel supply mechanism is functioning normally, yet temporary stock issues have been reported in areas like Bahadurpura and Mir Alam.
Stephan Reveendra, the Commissioner of the Civil Supplies Department, urged the public not to engage in panic buying, emphasizing that the supply chain remains intact. However, the exact reason for the sudden surge in demand remains unclear, and the timeline for when normal fuel supply will resume is uncertain.
Motorists have expressed their concerns, with one individual, A Narendra, stating, “I came here after seeing posts about a fuel shortage on social media.” Another driver, Sai Kumar, noted, “Hundreds of vehicles are here for filling. I am here from almost 25 minutes.”
Marri Amarender Reddy, president of the Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association, criticized the oil companies for imposing sudden rules and restrictions that directly affect citizens during such a crisis.
Details remain unconfirmed, but the situation continues to develop as residents seek clarity on fuel availability in the coming days.
