Thousands of motorists in Andhra Pradesh thronged fuel outlets on Monday, fearing a shortage of petrol and diesel. Long queues of two-wheelers, cars, trucks, and other vehicles were seen at a petrol pump in Rajahmundry, as panic buying gripped the region.
Panic buying grips Andhra Pradesh
The sudden rush for fuel came amid unconfirmed reports of a possible supply disruption. Although authorities have not officially announced any shortage, motorists began lining up at petrol pumps early in the morning, leading to traffic congestion in several areas.
Long queues at petrol pumps
In Rajahmundry, vehicles were lined up for over a kilometer at some fuel stations. Similar scenes were reported in Vijayawada and other parts of the state. Many motorists expressed concern over the availability of fuel in the coming days.
"We heard that there might be a shortage, so we decided to fill the tank now to avoid any inconvenience later," said a motorist waiting in line.
Government response
State government officials have urged the public not to panic, stating that there is adequate fuel stock. They assured that supplies are being maintained and that any rumors of a shortage are baseless. The district administration has been directed to monitor the situation and ensure smooth distribution.
Petrol pump owners have requested customers to buy only as much as needed to prevent artificial scarcity. Meanwhile, the police have been deployed to manage the crowds and traffic.
The situation is being closely watched, and further updates are expected as the day progresses.
