Officials admitted that nearly 10 per cent of petrol bunks have shut down due to lack of supplies, while several others faced an acute shortage.
Vijayawada: A severe petrol and diesel shortage has gripped Andhra Pradesh, throwing normal life out of gear. ‘No Stock’ boards are seen across fuel stations and, when fuel is stored, long queues stretch for hours.
The crisis, which worsened by evening on Friday, intensified over the weekend, leaving motorists, farmers and transport operators scrambling for fuel.
Officials admitted that nearly 10 per cent of petrol bunks have shut down due to lack of supplies, while several others faced an acute shortage. Panic buying has worsened the situation, with consumers stocking fuel in large quantities, with plastic cans and drums, prompting dealers to impose restrictions and ration sales.
In Vijayawada, the situation remained alarming. Several fuel stations have closed, while others are dispensing limited quantities. At the police service bunk on Bandar Road, vehicles queued up for nearly half a kilometre. Police took up positions to regulate traffic and maintain order.
Petrol was restricted to Rs.300 for two-wheelers, while cars were allowed diesel worth Rs.1,000, leaving many motorists waiting for hours or returning empty-handed.
Across NTR district, including areas such as Autonagar, Patamata, Mogalrajapuram and Yanamalakuduru, queues began forming as early as midnight. Similar scenes were evident in Tiruvuru, Kanchikacherla, Nandigama and Mylavaram, where several stations ran dry.
Farmers have been among the worst-affected, particularly with the ongoing paddy harvesting season and aquaculture operations requiring uninterrupted diesel supply. In Konaseema and East Godavari regions, cultivators expressed concern over disruptions to harvesting and irrigation activities.
The Authorities, however, urged farmers not to panic and promised steps to prioritise diesel supply for agricultural use.
In Kakinada district, the shortage entered its third consecutive day, with bunks supplying diesel on a restricted basis—Rs.1,000 for cars and as little as three litres for autos. Several outlets shut operations after exhausting stock. Similar conditions prevailed in Kadapa, Kurnool and Markapuram districts, where only a handful of fuel stations remained operational, attracting massive crowds and causing traffic congestion.
Rural pockets in Palnadu and Guntur districts also reported severe disruptions, with areas such as Medikonduru, Perecherla and Firangipuram witnessing prolonged shortages. In Machilipatnam and Tirupati, long lines of vehicles at petrol pumps highlighted the gathering gloom.
Officials attributed the crisis partly to reduced supply from oil companies amid rising global crude oil prices. The civil supplies department is set to hold a review meeting with oil companies and dealers to address the issue and restore normal supply.
Meanwhile, public criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis is mounting, with citizens urging immediate intervention before the situation worsens further.
