The statement was issued by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country’s largest state-owned fuel retailer, in India, addressing concerns over reported petrol and diesel shortages at select retail outlets across the country.

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has clarified that there is no nationwide shortage of petrol or diesel in India, stating that the reported fuel outages at certain outlets are “highly localised” and temporary in nature. The company said the situation is being caused by regional demand-supply mismatches and shifting consumption patterns rather than any systemic supply disruption.

According to IOC, fuel demand has seen a sharp increase in recent weeks, with petrol sales rising by about 14% and diesel sales increasing by nearly 18% between May 1 and May 22 compared to the same period last year. The company described this surge as “sustained and exceptionally high,” driven by seasonal and market-related factors.

Also Read: LaGuardia Airport Runway Shut After Sinkhole Discovery Causes Major Disruptions

The oil major explained that the rise in demand is linked to multiple factors, including increased diesel usage during the ongoing harvesting season, migration of customers from certain private fuel stations due to relatively higher prices, and higher institutional purchases at public sector outlets. It added that bulk fuel pricing, aligned with global crude trends, has also influenced purchasing behaviour.

IOC further stated that only a small number of its more than 42,000 retail outlets have experienced supply disruptions, while the majority continue to maintain adequate stock levels. The company emphasised that nationwide inventories remain sufficient and that oil marketing companies are actively monitoring and managing supply flows to prevent extended disruptions.

Reassuring consumers, IOC urged the public not to engage in panic buying and said it is taking corrective steps to address isolated shortages quickly. The company reiterated its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability across the country, noting that the current issues are operational and localised rather than indicative of any broader fuel crisis.

Also Read: India Expands Ethanol-Blended Petrol Amid Global Crude Supply Disruptions