Hyderabad is currently grappling with a petrol shortage, primarily fueled by panic buying among residents. Long queues have formed at petrol pumps across the city, with many stations running out of fuel and displaying ‘no stock’ signs. This situation has raised concerns among commuters and prompted officials to urge the public to refrain from panic buying.
The Civil Supplies department has stated that there is no fuel shortage in Telangana, asserting that the fuel supply mechanism is functioning normally. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, as several petrol stations have begun rationing fuel sales, limiting two-wheelers to just 150–200 litres.
Daily petrol consumption in Telangana is estimated at 35 lakh litres, with around 3,600 petrol pumps operating across the state. In the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) region alone, there are approximately 900-1000 petrol pumps. On a typical day, each pump sells between 10,000-12,000 litres of petrol. However, on days of panic buying, some pumps reported sales of up to 13,000 litres by 6 pm.
The panic buying was reportedly triggered by rumors circulating on social media about a fuel shortage. A local resident, A Narendra, mentioned, “I came here after seeing posts about a fuel shortage on social media.” This has led to significant congestion at petrol stations, with individuals like Sai Kumar expressing frustration over the long wait times, stating, “Hundreds of vehicles are here for filling. I am here from almost 25 minutes.”
Despite the assurances from officials, including Stephan Reveendra, IPS, Commissioner of the Civil Supplies Department, who urged the public not to engage in panic buying, the situation remains tense. Marri Amarender Reddy, president of the Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association, criticized the oil companies for imposing sudden restrictions that affect citizens during such uncertain times.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact reason for the sudden surge in demand for petrol, and the timeline for when normal fuel supply will resume is also uncertain. Temporary stock issues have been reported in areas like Bahadurpura and Mir Alam, further complicating the situation.
