Hyderabad: Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said there was no fuel crisis in Telangana and blamed panic buying for long queues at petrol stations.
He made the statement on Wednesday amid rumours that triggered heavy rush at fuel outlets. He urged citizens to avoid panic buying and ignore misinformation.
The minister said petrol, diesel and LPG stocks were sufficient for more than three months. He added that supply levels currently exceeded demand across the state.
No fuel crisis Telangana claim backed by supply data
Uttam Kumar Reddy said oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, increased deliveries.
On Wednesday, authorities supplied 17,898 kilolitres of fuel against a demand of 17,246 kilolitres. As a result, the state recorded a surplus.
He said demand rose by 25 percent due to panic buying. However, supply remained 22 percent higher than normal levels.
The minister said officials deployed an additional 16,000 kilolitres of buffer stock and 1,200 extra tankers. Therefore, supplies continued without interruption.
“Supply is more than demand,” Uttam said. He added that “no stock” boards at some outlets reflected logistical delays, not shortages.
No fuel crisis Telangana message amid enforcement drive
Uttam warned against storing fuel in cans and containers. He called the practice illegal and dangerous, adding that authorities had begun strict enforcement.
All 596 petrol bunks in Hyderabad were operational, he said. Officials also conducted field inspections and monitored supply through round-the-clock control rooms.
He said teams coordinated with Legal Metrology, Police and Civil Supplies departments to track distribution.
On LPG supply, the minister said domestic availability remained stable. However, he acknowledged issues with commercial LPG cylinders and said the matter was raised with the Centre.
Authorities seized 2,952 illegally used commercial cylinders so far, he added.
Uttam described the situation as panic-driven and urged people not to hoard fuel. He stressed that supplies remained strong across Telangana.
“There is absolutely no need for panic,” he said, reiterating that availability of fuel and LPG was stable.