Temporary Supply Issues Cause Panic in Gujarat, Officials Confirm No Shortage
Fuel panic spreads in Gujarat, but government assures citizens of adequate petrol and diesel supply.
Panic gripped several cities in Gujarat on Monday as fuel pump closures and long queues sparked anxiety among commuters, prompting government reassurances that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel. From Surat to Rajkot, and Ahmedabad to Vadodara, visuals of waiting vehicles dominated streets as rumors circulated on social media.
The first signs of stress emerged in Surat and Rajkot, where reported cuts in fuel supply from oil companies squeezed dealer inventories and forced outlets to adjust daily operations. Several pumps temporarily shut down, leading to congestion at operational stations and triggering widespread public concern.
Responding to the situation, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi sought to calm citizens, stating, “The government is fully prepared to ensure that petrol and diesel are available at all pumps. People should not pay attention to rumours being spread through social media or WhatsApp. There is no shortage, and both the central and state governments are closely monitoring the supply situation.”
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Dealer associations also addressed the panic, emphasizing that the situation was temporary. Arvindbhai said, “The queues you are seeing have formed over the last four to five hours due to rumours. We are receiving petrol and diesel as required, and no directive has been issued to restrict sales.” Industry insiders noted that rising bulk fuel prices had shifted industrial purchases toward retail outlets, intensifying pressure on pumps.
In Rajkot, at least seven fuel stations linked to major suppliers reportedly went offline, while in Surat, bulk fuel distribution to industrial customers was temporarily limited. Anil Desai explained that these measures were aimed at rationing supply but maintained that there is no shortage at the city level.
The Federation of Gujarat Petrol-Diesel Dealer Association warned that temporary supply disruptions caused by holidays and market dynamics could continue for a few days but expected normalization within the next week. Officials urged the public to avoid panic buying, reassuring that the state and central governments were closely monitoring the supply chain to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel.
