Bhubaneswar and Cuttack witnessed panic buying of fuel on Thursday as residents rushed to petrol pumps following the Prime Minister's appeal for preparedness and hints by the Union petroleum minister of a possible price hike amid escalating West Asia tensions. Several filling stations in the twin cities and other districts reported early closure after exhausting their daily stock.
Long queues and early closures
Long queues of vehicles stretched outside major fuel outlets along Chandrasekharpur, Janpath, Nandankanan Road, Rasulgarh, and Link Road in Cuttack, with many commuters waiting for over an hour to fill their tanks. Pump operators said demand shot up sharply within hours of the developments, catching many off guard.
“We have been seeing an unusual rush since morning. By afternoon, our entire stock was sold out and we had to shut early,” said Bikrant Mohanty, manager of a fuel station at Chandrasekharpur. Another dealer, Satyakam Jena in Cuttack, said the day's sales nearly doubled compared to a normal weekday.
Officials urge calm
Officials, however, urged the public not to panic, assuring that supply lines remain intact. “There is no shortage of petrol or diesel. We request people to avoid panic buying,” said an official from an oil marketing company.
Impact on delivery services and traffic
Food and services delivery agents remained worst affected by the panic buying situation at the filling stations. “I have an order to make and suddenly I felt the need to fill the tank. When I went to a nearby petrol pump, I saw a massive crowd. I had to wait and my order delivery was significantly delayed,” Priyabrata Sahu, a food delivery boy, said.
The rush also triggered traffic congestion around key pump locations, prompting police to step in for crowd management. The situation was near chaotic at Chandrasekharpur and Kalpana filling stations. “We deployed personnel at major junctions to regulate the queues and ensure smooth traffic flow,” said a senior traffic official.
Rise in electric vehicle enquiries
Amid concerns over a potential price rise, alternative mobility options gained momentum. Electric vehicle dealers reported a spike in enquiries. “We received multiple calls from prospective buyers asking about electric two-wheelers. People are clearly exploring long-term solutions to rising fuel costs,” Bidyut Mishra, a city-based EV showroom dealer, said.
Public transport preparedness
Public transport agencies are also preparing for a possible surge in ridership. The Capital Region Urban Transport stepped up readiness with its Ama Bus fleet, especially with the EVs. “We are monitoring the situation closely. Additional buses can be deployed on high-demand routes if needed,” said a CRUT official.
