Bhubaneswar, May 14: Bhubaneswar witnessed massive rush and panic buying at petrol pumps on Thursday as rumours of a possible fuel shortage spread across the city following tensions arising from the ongoing US-Iran conflict and reports regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Long queues of vehicles were seen outside several fuel stations as anxious residents rushed to stock up on petrol and diesel.
However, the Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association dismissed the rumours and assured the public that there is no fuel crisis in the capital city. Speaking to the media, association General Secretary Sanjay Lath clarified that sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are available at all major fuel stations in Bhubaneswar. He stated that even smaller petrol pumps had already procured adequate supplies in advance.
Lath admitted that a few outlets temporarily faced shortages due to sudden panic buying by consumers. He explained that fear among the public triggered an abnormal rise in demand, causing rapid depletion of stocks at some pumps with limited storage capacity.
“Petrol sales have increased by nearly 50 per cent over the last three days after many people misinterpreted recent developments and feared an oil crisis,” he said.
Out of 41 petrol pumps in Bhubaneswar, only three to four outlets experienced temporary shortages. Fresh fuel supplies are expected overnight, and normal operations are likely to resume fully from Friday.
Lath strongly appealed to citizens not to believe rumours or crowd fuel stations unnecessarily, assuring that there is no restriction or rationing of petrol and diesel in the city.
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