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Indian government denies fuel shortage, but petrol stations see long queues
Concerns over supply disruptions are growing, and there have been reports of long queues outside petrol pumps in many Indian cities flooding social media on Thursday
- PUBLISHED: Thu 26 Mar 2026, 5:47 PM
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Fuel stations in cities across India have seen long queues in the last few days. The government and petroleum companies have denied there is a shortage in fuel supplies, but motorists fear otherwise, triggering panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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“There is no shortage of petrol or diesel,” said Indian Oil Corporation. “Rumours circulating online can create unnecessary concern and disrupt normal supply patterns. IndianOil outlets are well-stocked and fully operational. We urge citizens to avoid panic buying and rely only on verified information. Together, we can keep the system running efficiently for everyone.”
Hindustan Petroleum also informed its customers that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG across the country.
“Fuel supplies remain stable, and adequate stocks are available. Customers are advised not to be misled by rumours or resort to panic buying. Please continue with normal consumption patterns. HPCL remains committed to ensuring an uninterrupted and seamless fuel supply across its network,” it said on its X account.
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Bharat Petroleum said rumours of a petrol-diesel shortage are entirely false. “Fuel is sufficiently available across the country and supplies are normal. BPCL is ensuring uninterrupted supply at all locations. Please do not panic and avoid unnecessary purchases.”
Sujata Sharma, the spokesperson in the petroleum ministry also rubbished the rumours. "Don't indulge in panic buying,” she advised.
Long queues
There have been reports of long queues outside petrol pumps in many Indian cities and videos have been flooding social media on Thursday. Two-wheeler and car drivers are seen in long queues outside many fuel stations, hoping to fill up their tanks.
Prices though have not gone up as the government says there is adequate crude inventories and sufficient stock of petrol and diesel. However, many pumps in the southern state of Telangana put up ‘no stock’ signs following a surge in the number of motorists and two-wheeler riders demanding fuel.
N Uttam Kumar Reddy, the civil supplies minister in Telangana, told the media there was no need for panic buying. ‘Supply is more than demand,” he said. “We have excess supply.”
According to him, the ‘no stock’ signs were put up by some dealers as the trucks had not arrived. The minister also warned consumers not to fill up cans with petrol and diesel (as some were doing) as it is illegal and hazardous. He also urged residents to avoid hoarding and stop rumour mongering. “Petrol, diesel and domestic LPG are in abundant supply,” said Reddy.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Govind Singh Rajput also assured citizens that there was no shortage of fuel in the state.
“Instances of long queues forming at petrol pumps in certain districts of the state—driven by rumours circulating among the general public—and subsequent panic buying of petrol by consumers came to notice,” he said in a statement.
“There is absolutely no shortage of petrol and diesel stocks at the petrol pumps; both petrol and diesel are available in ample quantities. Furthermore, supplies are being continuously dispatched from the depots to the petrol pumps. There is no need to be misled by any kind of rumours," Pradesh added.
In Goa, there were long queues outside many petrol pumps across the state and there were traffic snarls outside the outlets.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, howerver, asserted there was no fuel shortage in the state. “People should not panic or indulge in hoarding,” he told the media.
“Petrol is available, and there is no need to rush to pumps. There is no shortage of petrol in Goa at all. There is sufficient stock. The issue will be resolved within eight days," added Sawant.
