Panic at petrol pumps in Hyderabad amid rumors; dealers confirm no shortage

Chaos prevailed at petrol bunks across Hyderabad on Wednesday as rumours of fuel shortage due to the ongoing war in West Asia triggered panic buying by customersLong queues of motorists were seen at almost all retail outlets in the twin cities of Hyderabad Secunderabad and the outskirts even as authorities assured people that adequate stocks are available reported ANIHundreds of vehicles including trucks buses vans and cars were seen at major filling stations leading to traffic jams Motorists were seen waiting in queues for several hours to fill petrol and dieselChaotic scenes were witnessed at fuel stations in the busy areas of Ameerpet Khairatabad Lakdi Ka Pul Begumpet Secunderabad Nampally Abids Mehdipatnam Koti Attapur Kukatpally Erragadda LB Nagar and VanasthalipuramlsquoNo stockrsquo boards at fuel stations amid panic buying dealers say supply stableAccording to IANS lsquono stockrsquo boards were put up at several bunks as panic buying led to exhaustion of stocks in no timeA similar situation prevailed in Medak Mahabubnagar Karimnagar Warangal Nirmal and other towns in TelanganaMeanwhile the Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association has assured people that there is no shortage of fuel and adequate stock is available with HPCL IOCL and BPCLldquoDue to the circulation of false and misleading news regarding fuel shortage many people are rushing to fuel stations and filling their tanks unnecessarily This panic buying has led to an abnormal surge in sales nearly 25 to 3 times the normal levels resulting in temporary stock exhaustion at several retail outletsrdquo said Marri Amarender Reddy president of Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association reported IANSHe assured citizens that there is no shortage of fuel and that supply chains are functioning normallySupply of oil is fully operational and sufficient urges to not create panic among citizensThe association also cautioned citizens that carrying petrol or diesel in cans for storage is against Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESO norms and poses a serious safety riskAccording to IANS the Consumer Affairs Food and Civil Supplies Department Government of Telangana categorically clarified that there is lsquoabsolutely no shortage of petrol diesel or domestic LPG anywhere in the stateThe department said the supply chain from oil refineries to local depots is fully operational and selfsufficient stock is available to meet the regular daily requirements of all citizens across all districtsRecent reports of long queues and temporary No Stock boards at certain retail petrol outlets are strictly the result of sudden unwarranted panic buying fuelled by false rumours When citizens unnecessarily rush to fill their tanks to full capacity it creates an artificial scarcity despite adequate fuel being available at the depots reported IANSThe department also stated that recent administrative changes regarding advancepayment models by Oil Marketing Companies OMCs have caused minor temporary logistical adjustments for some local dealers This is solely an internal administrative measure and has nothing to do with a lack of suppliesMeanwhile Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will be holding a meeting with top officials later in the day to review the availability of petrol diesel and LPGInputs from IANS