Bhubaneswar: A massive wave of panic buying has gripped Odisha, forcing the state government and major Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) into crisis mode. Hundreds of motorists have been lining up at fuel stations across the state, from urban twin cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to western and southern districts like Balangir and Berhampur, triggering traffic congestion and leaving multiple retail outlets temporarily dry.
In a bid to manage the rising public anxiety and restore order, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra reviewed the situation and issued a strict directive to handle the unmanageable crowds.
🚨 Emergency Government Action: Depots to Stay Open on Sundays
To counter the sudden exhaustion of fuel stocks, the Odisha government has taken the unprecedented step of directing oil marketing companies to keep all four major fuel depots in the state—located at Jatni, Balasore, Paradip, and Khurda—fully operational on Sundays.
These depots, which normally remain closed on weekends, are now working around the clock to load more than 650 tankers to replenish empty retail stations. Officials expect that with continuous dispatch, supply stabilization will be visible across all pumps by Monday evening.
📈 What Triggered the “Mad Rush”?
The sudden crisis is not born out of an actual shortage at the supply head, but rather a perfect storm of rumors and recent market updates:
- Geopolitical Tensions: Rumors of impending supply disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis triggered widespread anxiety among the public.
- Price Hike Realities: A recent price hike of ₹3 per litre further accelerated the rush, with citizens attempting to hoard fuel before any potential subsequent increases.
- 37% Surge in Demand: According to the All India Petroleum Dealers’ Association, fuel sales shot up by an unprecedented 37% over the last four days alone. Daily consumption in Odisha stands at a staggering 44.7 lakh litres of petrol and 1.12 crore litres of diesel, meaning the intense panic-buying quickly depleted localized 3-day buffer stocks kept by retail dealers.
🛑 Ground Reality: Rationing and Impact on Essential Services
The sheer volume of consumers has led to chaotic scenes on major transit routes, including Jaydev Vihar-Nandan Kanan Road in Bhubaneswar and Link Road in Cuttack, requiring heavy police deployment to manage traffic and crowds.
Ground Reports: At several pumps, operators have started rationing fuel, limiting two-wheelers to refills worth only ₹200 at a time to prevent hoarding.
The impact is already rippling across various sectors:
- Transportation: The Odisha State Truck Owners’ Federation and Private Bus Owners’ Association have approached the government, warning that the localized crunch is beginning to stall the movement of essential commodities and public transport.
- Agriculture & Tourism: In tourist hubs like Puri and Chilika, boat operators are struggling to secure diesel in containers. Similarly, farmers in rural belts have raised alarms over the non-availability of container fuel needed for irrigation pump sets.
💼 Official Advisory: “No Need to Panic”
State authorities and petroleum coordinators have strictly reiterated that the state has abundant reserves. Kamal Sheel, Chief General Manager and Odisha Head of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), assured the public that the supply chain is completely secure.
“Oil companies maintain 10 to 13 days of continuous stock at their main supply points. There is absolutely no shortage of petrol or diesel in Odisha. We strongly urge citizens to buy only as per their daily requirements and stop panic hoarding.”
The government has advised retail stations to prioritize emergency services and urged citizens to rely strictly on official bulletins rather than social media rumors.
