Hyderabad, March 25 The Telangana government on Wednesday refuted claims of a fuel shortage and advised the public to ignore rumors that have triggered panic buying across the state.
As motorists began rushing to fuel stations in Hyderabad amid rumors of a shortage since Tuesday evening, the Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association reassured the public that there is adequate stock available with HPCL, IOCL, and BPCL, and the supply chains are functioning normally.
To address the situation, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will hold a review meeting here on Wednesday with officials on petrol, LPG cylinders, and urea stocks, an official release said.
After many fuel stations were overcrowded across Hyderabad, motorists were advised not to store fuel in large containers unnecessarily.
"As many as 1,500 petrol and diesel tankers were dispatched to fuel stations on Tuesday alone. Around 20,000 kilo liters of petrol is available," Civil Supplies Department Commissioner M Stephen Raveendra said in a release.
Petrol and diesel stocks are available with oil companies as required for daily needs, the official added.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar on Wednesday urged residents to remain calm.
In a post on 'X', he said: "Citizens are requested not to panic or indulge in unnecessary rush that may create disruption. The situation is being closely monitored. Please remain calm and cooperate."
The government had on Tuesday assured that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, and LPG.
The association said that it has come to its notice that due to the circulation of rumors regarding fuel shortage, people are rushing to fuel stations and filling their tanks unnecessarily.
"This panic buying has led to an abnormal surge in sales--nearly 2.5 to 3 times the normal levels--resulting in temporary stock exhaustion at several retail outlets across the country," the association said in a statement.
The association urged the public to avoid panic buying and to purchase fuel only as per regular needs and not store fuel in unauthorized containers.
Long queues of two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and other vehicles were witnessed at petrol pumps in several parts of Hyderabad since Tuesday evening over rumors of fuel shortage.
A two-wheeler rider said he waited at the gas station for more than 20 minutes to refill and found several outlets were overcrowded.