The streets of Hyderabad witnessed chaotic scenes for the second consecutive day as thousands of motorists, gripped by rumours of an impending fuel and LPG shortage, swarmed petrol pumps across the city. Despite repeated assurances from the Telangana government and petroleum dealers that stocks are ample, the sudden spike in demand has led several outlets to display “No Stock” signs, further intensifying public anxiety.
Voices from the Ground: “Where is the Clarity?”
Chandrashekhar, Marketing Professional:
“I’ve been moving from one pump to another since 6 AM. Everywhere I go, there’s either a kilometer-long line or a board saying ‘Petrol Out of Order.’ They tell us there’s no shortage, but if the tanks are full, why should we wait for more than an hour I’m filling my tank to the full because I simply don’t know if I can get to work tomorrow.”
Md Ashraf, Autorickshaw Driver:
“Our livelihood depends on auto. I’ve been sitting in this line for two hours in the heat because I can’t risk running out of fuel in the middle of a flyover. The panic is real because we see the boards going up one by one. If the government is so sure, why aren’t they monitoring these ‘No Stock’ signs?”
Sridhar, Techie:
“The fear isn’t just about the fuel; it’s about the silence. You see these viral messages about Middle East tensions and price hikes and when you look at these long lines you naturally panic. There’s no official, real-time app or tracker to tell us which bunks are actually operational. We are just waiting here to fill the tanks so that we don’t have to face difficulties for the next few days.”
Official Clarification: “60 Days of Stock”
Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari and Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar held a joint briefing today at the TGCCC to provide the “ground truth.”
Verified Reserves: Officials confirmed the city has approximately 60 days’ worth of fuel reserves.
Supply Volume: Over 1,500 tankers were dispatched in the last 24 hours to stabilize the 186 bunks in the district.
Action Plan: Authorities are enforcing strict queues and will take legal action against anyone selling loose fuel in bottles or spreading misinformation.