Concerns Rise Over Fuel Shortage Amid Panic Buying in Guwahati
Fuel Supply Concerns in Guwahati
Guwahati, March 26: In the wake of the recent LPG cylinder crisis, residents are now questioning whether a fuel shortage is imminent or if the situation is merely exacerbated by panic buying fueled by rumors.
Reports from various locations across the state, including Guwahati, suggest that numerous fuel depots are running low on supplies. It remains uncertain whether this is a genuine crisis or a manufactured one. The situation has led to a surge in fuel purchases, with sales reportedly increasing by at least 30% compared to normal levels.
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have indicated that there is currently no fuel shortage, although some private entities may be attempting to create an artificial scarcity.
“The ongoing conflict in West Asia has certainly had some repercussions. However, everything is manageable at this point. The Ministry is monitoring the situation closely,” stated a senior official.
At an Indian Oil petrol station on Rajgarh Road, a sign reading ‘No Petrol’ has been displayed on the dispensers. Employees noted a sudden spike in demand, with customers filling their tanks more frequently.
“Additionally, we have been informed of a shortage at the source,” one worker mentioned. The District Commissioner’s office in Kamrup Metro has begun compiling a report to assess the stock levels at all depots.
“Our team is actively working on this, and we expect to have a clearer picture soon,” a source revealed. An employee at an Indian Oil depot reported a significant influx of customers since early morning, which has driven up overall sales.
“Despite the increase in sales, we are still awaiting our scheduled refills. If the tanker does not arrive today, we will deplete our current stock by tomorrow,” he explained.
The manager of a local HP depot acknowledged that the panic may have some basis. “While there isn’t a critical shortage, we have noticed a decline in the fuel quantities we receive compared to previous weeks. Moreover, companies are now requesting advance payments, which was not the norm before. In Guwahati, the loading deadline has also been moved up from 4 pm to 3 pm, which adds to the confusion,” he stated.
Attempts to contact the Northeast India Petroleum Dealers’ Association for comments were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota reassured that there is no fuel shortage. “We have verified with each petrol station in the city, and all confirmed they have sufficient stocks of diesel and petrol,” he stated.