The wider picture
The panic was reportedly caused by misinformation related to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has raised global concerns about oil supply. Long queues were witnessed at fuel stations across Ahmedabad as citizens rushed to fill their tanks amid fears of a petrol shortage. This surge in demand has led to significant disruptions, with several petrol pumps temporarily shutting down due to supply issues.
In response to the growing concern, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi urged citizens not to panic over rumors of a fuel shortage, stating, “There is enough stock of petrol and diesel available in the state and so people need not do hoarding or panic.” The Indian Oil Corporation has confirmed that adequate stock of petrol and diesel is available in Gujarat, despite approximately 30-40% of retail outlets facing supply issues due to logistics difficulties.
The panic buying situation was exacerbated by misinformation spread through social media platforms, particularly concerning the geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Fuel retailers have reported that India maintains a 70-day reserve of crude oil, indicating that there is no current shortage. “These are not dry outs. We have checked it from the field and all petrol pumps are working normally and adequate fuel is available at all such facilities,” said Sujata Sharma from the Indian Oil Corporation.
The state government has emphasized that it is closely monitoring the fuel supply situation and holding regular review meetings to ensure that the distribution of petrol and diesel remains uninterrupted. The recent implementation of an advance payment policy for fuel dealers was initiated due to refining losses faced by oil marketing companies, further complicating the supply chain.
As the situation develops, Harsh Sanghavi reassured the public, stating, “The government is fully prepared to ensure that petrol and diesel are available at all pumps.” He also urged citizens to disregard rumors circulating on social media, which have contributed to the panic.
Despite the current chaos, the government insists that there is no need for alarm. The price of crude oil has surged from USD 60 to USD 118-120 per barrel due to the conflict in West Asia, which has raised concerns about future supply. However, officials maintain that the existing reserves and supply chains are sufficient to meet the demand.
As the situation unfolds, officials are working to restore normalcy and reassure the public about the availability of fuel. The government is committed to ensuring that the panic subsides and that citizens can access petrol and diesel without further disruption.
