Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, March 23 (IANS): The Government of Gujarat on Monday assured citizens that fuel supply disruptions reported in parts of the state are temporary and will stabilise within the next one to two days. Officials, along with oil companies, reiterated that there is no overall shortage of petrol and diesel.
The clarification comes amid reports of long queues at petrol pumps in certain areas, particularly in Ahmedabad, where concerns over availability triggered panic buying. Industry representatives attributed the situation to operational and logistical issues rather than any systemic supply crisis.
Tansukh Parmar, Treasurer of the Federation of Gujarat Petroleum Dealers Association, explained that recent disruptions were caused by financial and technical factors. “Oil companies have withdrawn credit limits previously extended to dealers, and financial capacities vary. Additionally, technical glitches over the weekend led to stock depletion at some outlets. However, the situation is expected to normalise shortly,” he said.
Reassuring the public, Mona Khandhar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, stated that all petrol pumps have adequate stock as per demand. She emphasized that the state maintains sufficient buffer reserves and urged citizens not to panic or rely on rumours. She also warned of strict action against any dealer found deliberately shutting pumps or creating artificial shortages.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sanjeev Behera of Indian Oil Corporation confirmed that supply remains stable at the infrastructure level. “Our depots and terminals are well-stocked, and there is no cause for concern. People should avoid unnecessary queuing,” he said.
The Petroleum Dealers Association of India also noted that oil companies have extended supply hours and increased stock movement to address localised gaps, while cautioning against misinformation on social media.
Authorities reported that temporary shortages were limited to select pockets such as Helmet Circle, Memnagar, Shivranjani, and Bopal in Ahmedabad. Officials maintained that supply is being restored rapidly and the situation remains under control.
