Panic Buying Triggers Fuel Chaos Across Hyderabad Amid Rumour-Driven Shortage Fears

Hyderabad, March 2026 : Widespread panic gripped fuel stations across Hyderabad on Wednesday as rumours of a fuel shortage, allegedly linked to the ongoing tensions in West Asia, led to chaotic scenes and unprecedented rush at petrol bunks.

Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at almost every fuel station in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as in surrounding areas. Motorists, fearing an imminent shortage, thronged filling stations to top up their tanks, resulting in severe congestion and traffic snarls across key routes.

Hundreds of vehicles—including trucks, buses, cars, and two-wheelers—lined up outside retail outlets, with many customers waiting for hours to refuel. The sudden surge in demand overwhelmed supply at several outlets, prompting operators to temporarily put up “No Stock” boards after fuel reserves were quickly exhausted.

The situation was particularly chaotic in high-traffic localities such as Ameerpet, Khairatabad, Lakdi Ka Pul, Begumpet, Nampally, Abids, Mehdipatnam, Koti, Attapur, Kukatpally, Erragadda, LB Nagar, and Vanasthalipuram. Similar scenes were reported from districts including Medak, Mahabubnagar, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Nirmal, indicating that the panic had spread beyond the state capital.

Amid the confusion, the Telangana Petroleum Dealers Association stepped in to reassure the public, stating that there is no actual shortage of fuel. The association clarified that oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited have sufficient stocks and that supply chains remain fully functional.

Marri Amarender Reddy, president of the association, attributed the chaos to the spread of false and misleading information. He noted that panic buying had caused fuel sales to spike to nearly 2.5 to 3 times the normal levels, leading to temporary stock depletion at several retail outlets. He urged citizens not to indulge in unnecessary hoarding, emphasizing that supplies are stable and continuously replenished.

Authorities also issued a safety warning, cautioning against the storage of petrol and diesel in cans. Such practices violate norms set by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation and pose significant safety hazards.

The Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies Department categorically stated that there is “absolutely no shortage” of petrol, diesel, or domestic LPG anywhere in the state. It explained that the supply chain—from refineries to local depots—is operating smoothly and that adequate stocks are available to meet daily consumption needs across all districts.

Officials further clarified that the temporary “No Stock” signs at certain outlets were a direct result of sudden, unwarranted demand caused by rumours. They also mentioned that recent administrative changes related to advance payment systems by oil marketing companies had caused minor logistical adjustments for some dealers, but these have no bearing on overall fuel availability.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is scheduled to hold a high-level review meeting with senior officials later in the day to assess the situation and ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel across the state.