Naidu Orders Urgent Action to Tackle Fuel Shortage Panic in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati, April 2026: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed district administrations to take immediate steps to address the emerging fuel crisis triggered by panic buying across the state.

The Chief Minister instructed District Collectors to implement a comprehensive action plan without delay and submit a detailed report on measures taken to stabilise the supply of petrol and diesel. His directive came amid reports of several petrol pumps shutting operations due to depleted stocks.

Naidu held a teleconference with Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad and senior officials to review the situation. During the meeting, officials revealed that out of the state’s 4,510 fuel outlets, around 421 petrol pumps had been forced to close due to supply constraints caused by an unexpected surge in demand.

Authorities noted that while 10,345 kilolitres of petrol and 14,156 kilolitres of diesel were supplied to dealers on Saturday, panic-driven purchases led to an unusually high demand, straining the distribution system. Under normal conditions, Andhra Pradesh records average daily sales of 6,330 kilolitres of petrol and 9,048 kilolitres of diesel. However, on Saturday, petrol sales jumped to 8,489 kilolitres, while diesel consumption rose to 10,556 kilolitres.

Officials explained that the sudden spike in fuel demand resulted in rapid depletion of stocks at multiple outlets, leading to temporary closures and long queues at several petrol pumps. They also highlighted that bulk buying by sectors such as aquaculture, particularly storage in large drums, has further intensified the pressure on available supplies.

Expressing concern over the situation, the Chief Minister directed authorities to take swift corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability and prevent further panic among the public. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts across departments to restore normalcy and instructed officials to report progress by the evening.

Meanwhile, Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar sought to reassure citizens, stating that there is no actual shortage of petrol or diesel in the state. He clarified that the temporary disruptions were due to logistical supply issues rather than a lack of fuel.

Manohar urged the public not to panic or resort to unnecessary stockpiling, stressing that adequate supplies are being maintained. He also warned that strict action would be taken against individuals or entities involved in black-marketing or hoarding of fuel.

The state government continues to monitor the situation closely, aiming to restore smooth fuel distribution and ease public concerns in the coming days.