Bhubaneswar: Long queues snaked outside petrol pumps across Bhubaneswar and Puri in Odisha on Friday morning, with the rush appearing more intense than on Thursday.
Commuters waited for extended periods at several filling stations amid visible panic buying, even as the Odisha government repeatedly assured sufficient fuel stocks and appealed for calm. Fear of possible shortages appears to have triggered panic buying, while traffic congestion was also reported near some petrol pumps due to the heavy rush.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity measures, urging people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, avoid non-essential gold purchases and postpone foreign travel, triggered panic buying in Odisha as people feared disruptions in supplies due to the conflict in West Asia. This led to a nearly 50% spike in fuel sales over the past few days. Some stations implemented rationing, such as limits of Rs 200 for two-wheelers and Rs 1,000 for four-wheelers, or temporarily ran dry, displaying “No Stock” boards.
The increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre has now further upset commuters. The price was recorded at Rs 104 per litre, while diesel prices crossed Rs 95 per liter.
Motorists have been advised to refuel normally, report any irregularities, and refrain from believing unverified rumours circulating on social media.
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