Bhubaneswar: Long queues snaked outside petrol pumps across Bhubaneswar and Puri in Odisha on Friday morning, with the rush appearing more intense than on Thursday.
Commuters waited for extended periods at several filling stations amid visible panic buying, even as the Odisha government repeatedly assured sufficient fuel stocks and appealed for calm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity measures, urging people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, avoid non-essential gold purchases and postpone foreign travel, triggered panic buying in Odisha as people feared disruptions in supplies due to the conflict in West Asia. This led to a nearly 50% spike in fuel sales over the past few days. Some stations implemented rationing, such as limits of Rs 200 for two-wheelers and Rs 1,000 for four-wheelers, or temporarily ran dry, displaying “No Stock” boards.
The increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre has now further upset commuters. Following the change in rates, petrol prices crossed Rs 100-mark in Bhubaneswar. The price was recorded at Rs 104 per litre, while diesel prices crossed Rs 95 per litre.
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Government and Dealers Assure No Crisis
On Thursday, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh clarified that there is no fuel crisis in the state. He noted that less than 1% of Odisha’s approximately 2,850 petrol pumps face temporary shortages, with only 20–22 outlets affected at any time. “It will be wrong to say that there is a fuel crisis in the state. The government has been closely monitoring petrol and diesel stocks… The issue is more due to operational snags and stock mismanagement than any actual shortage,” Singh said.
He pointed to possible delays in dealers depositing funds with oil companies.
The government has formed district-level crisis management groups headed by collectors to monitor the situation and restore supply quickly. While no complaints of hoarding have so far been received, strict action will be taken against any black marketing or overcharging.
Sanjay Lath, General Secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association, echoed the assurance: “There is no shortage of fuel and no possibility of a price hike.” He attributed the rush partly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for reduced consumption, which some interpreted as a sign of impending issues. “Due to the sudden spike in demand, some petrol pumps with smaller storage temporarily ran dry,” Lath added.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have also confirmed adequate overall stocks and normal supply chains, urging people to avoid unnecessary panic buying that strains logistics.
Motorists have been advised to refuel normally, report any irregularities, and refrain from believing unverified rumours circulating on social media.