A wave of panic-driven fuel stocking swept across Maharashtra, sending petrol pumps across Vidarbha into overdrive as motorists, transporters and farmers rushed to top up tanks amid fears of supply disruption and rising fuel prices.
Fuel Sales Spike Across Maharashtra
Amid panic buying, fuel pumps across Maharashtra ended up selling 52% more diesel than the usual daily quota on May 23, while petrol sales saw a 23% hike compared to the average levels.
Nagpur Witnesses Moderate Hike
In Nagpur, fuel sales shot beyond the average range, but the hike was moderate compared to other districts. The district sold 1,141 kilolitres (KL) of petrol against its daily average of 980 KL, registering a 16% increase. Diesel sales climbed to 2,328 KL compared to the average 1,960 KL — a rise of 19%.
Akola Records Highest Diesel Surge
Akola saw a 154% hike, highest in the state, compared to the average. Against 968 KL sold on any given day, more than 1,500 KL of diesel was sold in Akola on May 23, shows a chart shared by the chief minister's office (CMO). The figures were shared to stress that there was no shortage of fuel, but panic buying had triggered chaos.
Petrol Sales Surge Across Vidarbha
Petrol sales also witnessed a sharp spike across Vidarbha. Wardha recorded the highest increase in petrol consumption in the state at 53%, with sales touching around 252 KL against its usual average of nearly 165 KL. Buldhana saw a 47% surge, as petrol sales rose to about 434 KL compared to the regular average of nearly 295 KL. In Akola, petrol consumption climbed 44%, with sales increasing to around 310 KL against the normal daily average of approximately 215 KL, while Washim registered a 43% rise, selling nearly 188 KL against its average requirement of around 131 KL.
In Chandrapur, petrol sales jumped 20% to around 316 KL compared to the average daily consumption of nearly 263 KL. Bhandara recorded a 32% increase, with sales touching approximately 176 KL against the usual average of around 133 KL.
Officials Warn Against Hoarding
"Petrol sales increased by 23% and diesel by 52%. This is not scarcity; this is hoarding," stated a message circulated in an official district administration group. The message further stated that the home department and civil supplies department would jointly initiate action against panic buying and stockpiling.
Officials maintained that fuel stocks remained adequate across Maharashtra and appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary bulk purchases, warning that panic-driven demand could create avoidable pressure on the supply chain despite sufficient availability.
Fuel Price Hike Fuels Panic
The surge comes during a time when fuel prices rose sharply across the country. Petrol prices in the city rose to Rs 111.70 per litre from Rs 108.07 earlier, while diesel climbed to Rs 98.90 from Rs 95.58, intensifying panic buying at several pumps over the weekend.
Long queues were witnessed outside multiple petrol stations across Nagpur after rumours of a possible supply disruption triggered fears among motorists and transporters. However, district collector Kumar Ashirwad clarified on Monday that there was no shortage of fuel in the district and urged citizens against unnecessary hoarding or panic purchases.
