Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has officially clarified that the state is not facing any shortage of petrol or diesel, urging citizens to ignore baseless rumours and refrain from panic buying.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, stated that the supply chain remains robust and there is sufficient stock available at various depots and retail outlets across the state.
The clarification follows a sudden surge in demand at petrol pumps over the last few days, which led to long queues and temporary stockouts at a handful of locations.
Shri Singh explained that while approximately 20 to 22 fuel stations across the state reported dry-out conditions, these incidents are isolated and represent less than one per cent of the total 2,850 petrol pumps operating in Odisha. He attributed these temporary disruptions to operational issues and local management rather than an actual deficit in supply.
To manage the situation and ensure smooth distribution, the state government has activated both state-level and district-level crisis management teams. District Collectors have been instructed to monitor fuel inventory in their respective jurisdictions and coordinate with oil marketing companies to prioritize replenishment for outlets reporting low stocks.
Principal Secretary Shri Singh noted that the supply department is in constant communication with the central government and oil companies to maintain a steady flow of petroleum products.
Industry representatives also backed the government’s stance. Shri Sanjay Lath, General Secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association, noted that fuel sales had spiked by nearly 50 per cent recently due to misinformation. He confirmed that oil depots are well-stocked and that most outlets facing temporary shortages would be refilled within hours as transportation cycles catch up with the increased demand.
The state government has issued a stern warning against black marketing and hoarding. Principal Secretary Shri Singh stated that strict legal action would be taken against any retailers found selling fuel at inflated prices or creating artificial scarcity.
Citizens have been advised to purchase only what they require for their daily needs and to rely on official announcements for information regarding fuel availability.