Hyderabad Fuel Panic: Long Queues Persist for Second Day Amid Shortage Fears
Hyderabad has been gripped by a fuel panic for the second consecutive day, with long queues snaking outside petrol pumps across the city. Motorists rushed to refuel their vehicles amid widespread fears of a fuel shortage, despite repeated assurances from the government and oil companies that stocks are adequate. The situation has led to significant disruptions, with police deployment, business impacts, and commuter woes escalating.
Police Deployed to Manage Crowds at Fuel Outlets
To manage the chaotic scenes, police personnel were deployed at multiple petrol bunks throughout Hyderabad. Barricades were set up to control the crowds as hundreds of motorists lined up, often waiting for over an hour to fill their tanks. The heavy presence of law enforcement underscored the severity of the panic and the need to maintain order at fuel stations.
‘No Stock’ Boards and Social Media Fuel Panic
The rush was largely triggered by ‘no stock’ boards displayed at several petrol pumps, coupled with videos of long queues circulating on social media platforms. These visuals created a fear among commuters that fuel supplies would soon run out, leading to a vicious cycle of panic buying. Many motorists were seen carrying cans and bottles to store petrol for generators and other uses, further straining the available fuel at pumps.
Office-Goers and Small Businesses Hit Hard
Office-goers reported getting stuck in long queues during lunch breaks, with some spending more than an hour waiting at fuel stations, disrupting their work schedules. Small business owners, including milk suppliers and delivery workers, said the rush at petrol pumps severely impacted their daily operations as they struggled to refuel vehicles on time, leading to delays and financial losses.
Ride-Hailing Fares Surge Amid Uncertainty
Commuters relying on ride-hailing platforms faced longer waiting times and higher fares as drivers either cancelled trips or avoided taking rides due to uncertainty over fuel availability. This surge in fares added to the commuter distress, highlighting the broader economic ripple effects of the fuel panic across Hyderabad's transportation network.
Dealers Blame Credit Stand-Off with Oil Companies
Petrol pump dealers attributed the issue to a credit stand-off with major oil companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum. This financial dispute affected fuel supply at several outlets, contributing to the perception of a shortage. Dealers emphasized that resolving this stand-off is crucial to stabilizing fuel distribution in the city.
Oil Companies Urge Calm, Assure Adequate Stocks
Oil companies maintained that there is no actual shortage of fuel and stated that the situation was primarily driven by panic buying. Officials reassured the public that fuel supply is expected to stabilize soon across Hyderabad, urging people not to hoard fuel and to avoid unnecessary refueling to ease the pressure on pumps.
The ongoing fuel panic in Hyderabad underscores the challenges of managing public perception during supply chain disruptions, with authorities working to restore normalcy while addressing the underlying issues causing the scare.
