Fuel Queues Return in Hyderabad; Civil Supplies Denies Shortage
The Telangana civil supplies department on Monday evening said there was no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state and urged the public not to believe rumours circulating on social media.
Hyderabad: Long queues and ‘No stock’ boards were reported at petrol pumps across Hyderabad on Sunday evening and Monday, days after similar shortages were seen on April 12 and 24-26.
Several outlets ran dry on Sunday evening, with crowds building up from Monday morning. Customers waited for hours, while LPG-run autorickshaw drivers reported difficulty refuelling, with some claiming waits of up to six hours.
The Telangana civil supplies department on Monday evening said there was no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state and urged the public not to believe rumours circulating on social media. The department said stocks were sufficient to meet demand from commuters, transport and the farming sector.
Under the direction of commissioner M. Stephen Raveendra, the department said it was coordinating with oil marketing companies to maintain supply. As per official data, supply till 4 pm stood at 7,443 KL of petrol and 11,081 KL of diesel, totalling 18,524 KL.
Jeremiah Joel, a resident of Bandlaguda Jagir, said, “From my residence to Nampally, all petrol pumps were overcrowded between 10 and 11 am, and I couldn’t refuel.”
Heavy rush at outlets led to traffic congestion at several locations including IKEA, Raidurg, Jeera, Tarnaka, Golnaka, Begum Bazaar, Attapur and Begumpet. A Bharat petrol pump at Liberty was closed after running out of stock, while similar boards were seen at multiple outlets.
T. Nagaraju, a resident of Kukatpally, said, “I travelled from Hyderabad to Annavaram and onward to Visakhapatnam, facing diesel shortages throughout the journey. On the return to Hyderabad, many petrol pumps were overcrowded, with several running out of fuel.”
Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association president Marri Amarender Reddy said, “There is a fuel supply shortage, and deliveries have been low for three days. On Sunday, companies that usually operate did not function, worsening the situation.”
He claimed that oil companies are facing losses as international crude prices remained high, while bulk buyers were now paying around ₹109 per litre, a sharp increase of ₹22. “In these circumstances, the public should avoid panic buying or stocking extra fuel, as this can further aggravate the shortage,” Amarender Reddy said.
While officials maintained that supplies were adequate, several outlets reported running out of fuel in recent days. Sources said diesel supplies had been lower from oil marketing companies, though companies maintained that stocks were sufficient.
The GHMC area has around 900 to 1,000 fuel stations, with about 1,280 outlets in the city periphery and nearly 3,600 across Telangana. Statewide daily sales are estimated at 45 lakh litres of diesel and 35 lakh litres of petrol, supplied through depots operated by Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum.
Allegations that public sector oil companies restricted diesel supply could not be independently verified.
