Heavy rush and panic buying were witnessed at petrol pumps across Odisha after reports of temporary fuel shortages emerged from multiple districts, including Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak and Keonjhar. Long queues of vehicles formed outside fuel stations as commuters rushed to refill tanks fearing worsening disruption in petrol and diesel supply.
Several petrol pumps reportedly faced shortages of either petrol or diesel, while some fuel stations imposed temporary limits on fuel distribution to manage rising demand.
Petrol and Diesel Shortages Reported in Bhubaneswar
Fuel shortage was reported at several petrol pumps across the capital city, creating inconvenience for commuters and vehicle owners.
At the Ghatikia petrol pump:
- Petrol stock reportedly ran out
- Diesel remained available
- Customers returned without refuelling
Some fuel stations limited fuel sales to:
- Rs 200 worth of fuel
- Maximum 10 litres per vehicle
A similar situation was reported at Kalpana Square, where fuel supply temporarily stopped due to delayed replenishment.
Meanwhile, Chandrasekharpur witnessed unusually long vehicle queues as panic buying intensified across the city.
Panic Buying Spreads Across Odisha Districts
Concerns over fuel availability also intensified in districts such as Keonjhar and Bhadrak.
Keonjhar Witnesses Heavy Rush
Reports from Mahabir Chhak petrol pump indicated restrictions on fuel distribution:
- Bikes reportedly received fuel worth Rs 100 to Rs 200
- Cars were given fuel worth Rs 500 to Rs 1000
The situation triggered panic among commuters amid fears of further shortages linked to global uncertainties and Middle East tensions.
Bhadrak Petrol Pumps Run Out of Stock
Several petrol pumps in Bhadrak reportedly ran dry, leaving customers stranded.
Fuel shortages were reported at:
- New Bus Stand petrol pump
- Kadambeda petrol pump
- Post Office Chhak petrol pump
Many commuters had to return without fuel as supply disruptions affected daily travel.
Dealers Clarify No Overall Fuel Crisis
Despite growing panic, the General Secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association clarified that there is no statewide fuel crisis or official restriction on petrol and diesel supply.
According to officials:
- Delayed supply from oil companies caused temporary disruption at some pumps
- Fuel stock is expected to normalize soon
- Consumers have been advised not to panic buy
Oil Marketing Companies also stated that Odisha has sufficient fuel reserves and appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary rush at petrol stations.
Odisha Government May Introduce Fuel Usage Measures
Amid rising concerns over fuel consumption, the Odisha government may soon introduce policy-level measures to reduce petrol and diesel usage across the state.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja indicated that:
- Administrative discussions are underway regarding fuel-saving measures
- Restrictions on government vehicle usage may be introduced
- Public transport promotion could become mandatory for officials
Sources also revealed that the Chief Minister has already reduced official vehicle usage by nearly 50 percent as part of fuel conservation efforts.
