Rumours Spark Fuel Rush in Telangana; State Ramps Up Supply

Hyderabad: Unsubstantiated claims regarding a potential spike in fuel costs have been identified as the primary cause of erratic purchasing patterns and temporary supply constraints at fuel stations throughout Telangana, the state administration said.

N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the minister overseeing civil supplies, attributed the disruption to widespread speculation that emerged following the West Bengal elections. Consumers rushed to refuel beyond their usual needs amid concerns of an impending price escalation, the minister explained.

The surge in demand manifested over a three-day period, with petrol pumps experiencing unprecedented footfall and consumption rates climbing steeply. Multiple circumstances compounded the pressure on fuel availability.

Industrial-grade diesel prices had climbed to Rs. 150 per litre, prompting commercial operators to shift their purchasing to standard retail outlets where diesel was comparatively affordable. Simultaneously, vehicles originating from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra began filling up at stations near Telangana's borders, further straining local inventories. Numerous outlets subsequently ran dry, forcing them to display "No Stock" notices.

To address the crisis, the state administration took swift action. Supply volumes were expanded by 126 percent across Telangana to restore equilibrium. M. Stephen Raveendra, the Civil Supplies Commissioner, instructed petroleum retailers to accelerate distribution to match the heightened demand.

The government deployed 3,100 fuel tankers statewide to ensure continuous supply chains remained operational. By April 27, daily diesel distribution had surged by 151 percent, while petrol distribution increased by 95 percent.

Reddy also directed officials to prioritize uninterrupted supplies for farmers and transporters engaged in harvest operations and paddy procurement activities. The administration instituted three-hourly monitoring of fuel stocks at all outlets and continued dispatching tankers to regions facing shortages.

Officials have appealed to residents to disregard unfounded reports and have reassured them that Telangana maintains adequate fuel reserves.