No Fuel Crisis In Telangana: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Amid widespread rumours triggering long queues at fuel stations, Telangana Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy today said that there was no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the State, and urged the citizens to avoid panic buying.

Addressing the media along with Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra, the minister said that the fuel stocks in the State were adequate for over three months, with supplies currently exceeding demand. He said that oil companies - Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) - had significantly ramped up deliveries, and that today 17,898 KL of fuel was supplied against a demand of 17,246 KL.

"Despite a 25% spike in demand due to panic buying, supplies have been maintained at 22% above normal levels, ensuring uninterrupted availability. An additional 16,000 KL buffer stock and 1,200 extra tankers have been deployed. Supply is more than demand. The occasional 'no stock' signs at fuel stations are due to logistical delays, not shortages," the minister said.

The minister warned the public against the use of cans and containers to store fuel, calling it illegal and dangerous, and said that strict enforcement was already underway.

As per reports, all 596 petrol bunks in Hyderabad are operational, with officials conducting field inspections and monitoring supplies through 24/7 control rooms in coordination with legal metrology, police and civil supplies officials.

As for LPG, the minister said that domestic supply remained stable but acknowledged issues with commercial LPG cylinders, with the State taking up the matter with the Centre. Authorities had seized 2,952 illegally used commercial cylinders so far, he said.

Calling the situation purely panic-driven, the minister urged people to ignore rumours and avoid hoarding.