All India Petroleum Dealers Association and Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association general secretary Sanjay Lath admitted that panic buying has led to a 50 percent increase in fuel demand in the state. “In Odisha, the daily demand for petrol is around 4,000 kilolitres, while for diesel it is around 8,600 kilolitres. However, the demand has increased by at least 50 per cent in the last three days, mainly due to panic buying,” he said.
He further said that every petrol pump in the state was automated and oil companies could monitor their stock levels in real time. They must ensure smooth supply of fuel from depots to avoid this crisis. All the four fuel depots in the state had adequate stock, he added.
“The sudden increase in sales is mainly due to panic buying and rumors of a fuel crisis and possible increase in petrol and diesel prices. However, the situation will stabilize if fuel is made available at all stations,” he said.
The state government also kept repeating that it had sufficient fuel reserves. Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh told the media that the state has around 2,850 petrol pumps and the dry situation was reported in less than one percent of them.
“Only 20 to 22 pumps are said to be dry, either for petrol or diesel. So, it is not correct to say there is a fuel crisis. We have adequate stock,” claimed Singh.
“The department is conducting daily monitoring and review of fuel stock positions across the state. Continuous surveillance is being conducted to assess the availability of petrol and diesel at retail outlets,” Singh said.
He said the department was also in constant touch with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) officials to ensure smooth supply and distribution of fuel. A crisis management team has been formed to closely monitor the situation and respond immediately wherever problems are reported, Singh added.
He urged people not to believe rumors or worry unnecessarily about reports of fuel shortages.
