Telangana Government Confirms Ample Fuel Reserves for Three Months Amid Panic Buying
Hyderabad: In a firm reassurance to the public, Telangana's Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy declared on Wednesday that the state possesses sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel, and LPG to last the next three months. The minister emphasized that supply comfortably outpaces demand, urging citizens to refrain from panic buying and dispelling widespread rumors of shortages.
Unprecedented Panic Buying Triggers Fuel Scramble
The minister's statement came in response to unprecedented panic buying that swept across Hyderabad's fuel pumps starting Tuesday afternoon. The frenzy continued into Wednesday, with numerous pumps displaying 'no stock' boards after depleting their reserves due to a sudden surge in demand. Motorists endured hours-long waits to fill their vehicles, driven by fears of an impending fuel crisis.
Reiterating that there is no cause for concern, Minister Reddy explained that while daily demand spiked by 25% due to panic buying, supplies have been maintained at an above-average rate of 22%, ensuring seamless availability. "Supply is more than demand. We are providing excess supply," he told reporters at the assembly premises.
Enhanced Buffer Stocks and Additional Tankers Deployed
The government has proactively arranged an additional 16,000 kilolitres (KL) of buffer stock and pressed 1,200 extra tankers into service to keep fuel stations fully stocked. Reddy clarified that any temporary 'no-stock' boards at a few outlets were merely due to delayed tanker arrivals, not an actual shortage of fuel.
Amid growing rumors that triggered panic buying and long queues at fuel stations across Hyderabad, the state government confirmed that oil marketing companies—Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)—have significantly ramped up supplies. On the day of the briefing, against a demand of 17,246 KL, these companies supplied 17,898 KL, an excess of 652 KL.
Crackdown on Illegal Practices and Hazardous Container Use
The government has also taken strict note of the illegal and hazardous practice of filling petrol and diesel in cans. "Officials are conducting inspections in the field. Use of containers will not be allowed. OMCs have been strictly instructed to stop this practice," the minister stated. He appealed to the public to avoid panic buying, asserting that all rumors of shortages are baseless.
LPG Supply: Abundant Domestic Cylinders, Commercial Crunch Addressed
On the LPG front, Minister Reddy clarified that domestic LPG cylinders are in abundant supply. While acknowledging a temporary supply crunch of commercial LPG cylinders, he confirmed that the state government is actively representing the matter to the central authorities. In a related enforcement action, authorities have seized 2,952 commercial cylinders being misused or illegally filled.
Comprehensive Monitoring and Operational Assurance
Reddy revealed that 596 petrol bunks are currently functioning in Hyderabad city alone. "All petrol outlets are open. No bunk is being allowed to close," he confirmed, adding that officials inspected outlets in LB Nagar and Bhairamalguda and found them fully operational.
Staff from the civil supplies department are reaching out to every fuel bunk, with dedicated control rooms monitoring supplies round the clock in coordination with legal metrology, police, and civil supplies officials. The minister urged people to cease rumor-mongering and avoid hoarding, reiterating, "There is absolutely no need for panic. Petrol, diesel, and domestic LPG are in abundant supply."
