Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government directed oil marketing companies (OMCs) to keep all four major fuel depots operational on Sunday to ramp up supply, as panic buying of petrol and diesel led to long queues at filling stations, temporary stock shortages at hundreds of pumps, and disruptions to daily life and livelihoods across the state.
The depots at Jatni, Balasore, Paradip, and Khurda, typically closed on Sundays, will now facilitate loading and transportation. Over 650 tankers are expected to distribute fuel on Sunday, with officials anticipating adequate stocks at most of the state’s around 2,800-2,850 petrol pumps by Monday evening.
Fuel Situation in Bhubaneswar Improves
The situation in Odisha capital is gradually returning to normal following days of chaos triggered by panic buying of petrol and diesel, though the full effects of the recent shortage fears have not entirely dissipated.
While long queues that snaked for kilometres outside fuel stations have significantly reduced, mild crowding persisted at a few petrol pumps across the city on Sunday. Motorists, who had rushed to refill tanks amid rumours of supply disruptions linked to West Asia tensions and a recent Rs 3 per litre price hike during the last four days, are now finding better access to fuel, according to sources.
“The amount of petrol/diesel people have filled, it’ll take a few days before they come back for a refill again. Is it food that they’ll consume overnight?” an attendant at a filling station said.
‘Artificial’ Shortage
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra reviewed the situation in a meeting with OMC representatives and dealers. He described the crisis as “artificial,”
stemming from misinterpretation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation amid the West Asia crisis, combined with rumours of possible price hikes. Patra emphasised that Odisha holds 13 days of fuel stock, bolstered by the Paradip refinery, and urged citizens to buy only as needed.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) Chief General Manager and state-level coordinator Kamal Sheel echoed this, confirming no overall shortage and noting that OMC personnel are working through holidays to restore normal distribution.
Daily consumption stands at approximately 44.7 lakh litres of petrol and 1.12 crore litres of diesel, with urban areas seeing higher weekend demand.
Surge in Demand and Ground Impact
Panic buying drove a 37-50% spike in fuel sales over recent days, exhausting stocks at 200-300 stations and sharply reducing others.
Transport operators was hit hard. The Odisha State Truck Owners’ Federation reported that the crunch is affecting the movement of essential commodities, with over 1.5 lakh private trucks impacted. The All Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association noted that around 2,000-2,800 buses rely on specific pumps and sought priority supply. In response, authorities plan dedicated fuel outlets for buses and trucks in every district.
Gig workers, cab drivers, daily wage earners, and fishermen also faced severe hardships. Many reported hours-long waits reducing earnings, while fishermen in Chilika Lake and coastal districts like Puri, Balasore, and Kendrapada could not operate boats. Tragically, a 27-year-old ambulance patient died after the vehicle ran out of fuel.
Govt and OMC Measures
The Housing and Urban Development Department has advised vehicle pooling and ride-sharing for conservation. Collectors and police are conducting surprise checks at pumps, with some implementing rationing, limiting bikes to Rs 200 worth of fuel.
Both the government and OMCs have appealed for calm, stressing that hoarding and unnecessary bulk purchases have exacerbated the situation. Supply chains are being strengthened, and the situation has already improved in many areas.