Recent operational changes in fuel distribution have caused disruptions in Gujarat, leading to rumors of a fuel shortage. This situation has sparked panic buying at petrol pumps across the state, with families rushing to refill their tanks. “At one point, families were calling relatives, asking them to rush and refill tanks,” reported a dealer.
In response to the growing concerns, the Gujarat government has stepped in to assure citizens that there is sufficient stock of petrol and diesel available. “Sufficient quantities of petrol and diesel are available at all petrol pumps in the state as per requirement,” stated Mona Khandhar, a government official.
The Indian Oil Corporation has confirmed that supplies to retail outlets are continuing smoothly, despite some dealers reporting operational changes that led to temporary disruptions in fuel distribution. Some petrol pumps have even imposed temporary rationing, limiting purchases to a cap of 200 liters for two-wheelers due to increased demand.
Mehul Patel, a dealer, explained the challenges faced: “Earlier, dealers would pay after receiving fuel deliveries. Now, payments have to be made in advance as companies require liquidity.” This shift has contributed to the operational difficulties and has affected the replenishment cycles at some petrol stations.
The state government has warned that legal action will be taken against dealers who keep their pumps closed despite having stock. Citizens have been urged not to panic or queue at petrol pumps, as officials reiterate that there is no fuel shortage in Gujarat and none is expected in the future. The President of the Petroleum Dealers Association of India echoed this sentiment, stating, “There is no fuel shortage in Gujarat and none is expected in the future.”
As the situation evolves, observers are closely monitoring the response from both the government and the dealers to ensure that fuel distribution stabilizes and meets the demands of the public.
