Industry Odisha Bureau, May 14: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing for a consumption cut amidst an unending West Asia crisis, long queues of vehicles were seen at fuel outlets across Odisha on Thursday, with some showing “no stock” board.
However, the State Government and petroleum dealers claimed that there was no shortage of fuel in the state and the situation was created due to panic buying by the people.
Apart from capital city Bhubaneswar, vehicle owners were seen making long queues at petrol pumps in Jeypore, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Kendrapada and other places.
While all the petrol pumps erected barricades to control the crowd, some outlets regulated supply by allowing two-wheelers to take petrol up to Rs 200 and the four-wheelers worth Rs 2,000. Some service stations in these places ran dry on the day too, forcing citizens to look for other options.
Pump owners in Rourkela acknowledged they are putting a restriction on the sale of petrol and diesel to ensure they do not run dry completely.“We are witnessing panic buying due to the shortage and also over reports that fuel prices will increase soon,” a service station owner added.
Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association general secretary Sanjay Lath, however, said this is a temporary phase created due to panic buying of fuel after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people to remain alert when consuming petrol and diesel.
“The people have misinterpreted the PM’s message on austerity. There is adequate stock of petrol and diesel in Odisha. There is no shortage here, and people should not believe in rumours,” Lath said. Lath said that of the 3,000 fuel outlets in the state, around 100 have turned dry due to panic buying over the past 2-3 days. He said petrol and diesel sales have increased significantly in the last three days.
A sudden surge in the demand of fuel in Andhra Pradesh spilled over to the neighbouring districts in Odisha. Cargo trucks carrying essential commodities from Andhra Pradesh to Odisha and North East started refilling in the state which led to an abrupt increase in demand in southern districts by 40 per cent to 70 per cent last week, Lath said.
Nearly, 3 to 4 fuel stations of 41 outlets in Bhubaneswar are currently facing stock shortage. Most of these would be refilled by evening, he added. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the government is aware about the situation and will soon come up with necessary measures.
