NEW DELHI: India has ample stocks of petrol, diesel and cooking gas LPG, and there is no need for panic buying, oil companies assured the public on Friday.
State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), in separate statements, assured of enough stock availability and smooth operations.
They made the statements after social media was flooded with posts and videos showing people queuing at petrol pumps to stock fuel as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated.
“Indian Oil has ample fuel stocks across the country and our supply lines are operating smoothly,” IOC said in a post on X.
“There is no need for panic buying, fuel and LPG are readily available at all our outlets.”
Panic buying was mostly witnessed in states bordering Pakistan.
Several towns in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab enforced blackouts after Pakistan’s armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire western border on the intervening night of May 8-9. The Indian Army said the attacks were “effectively repulsed”.
These had led to a fear of escalation in tension and panic buying.
“Help us serve you better by staying calm and avoiding unnecessary rush. This will keep our supply lines running seamlessly and ensure uninterrupted fuel access for all,” IOC said.
BPCL said sufficient petrol, diesel, CNG, and LPG are available across its vast nationwide network.
“All BPCL fuel stations and LPG distributorships across its nationwide network are operating smoothly and are fully equipped to meet the energy needs of consumers. There is no cause for concern or panic buying. Our supply chain operations remain robust and efficient, ensuring uninterrupted supplies. We urge all customers to remain calm. BPCL remains steadfast in its commitment to energy accessibility and reliability,” it said.
HPCL said sufficient fuel and LPG stocks were available across the country.
“Our supply chain is operating seamlessly,” it said. “There is absolutely no need for panic buying. Fuel and LPG are readily available at all HPCL outlets. Let’s stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush to ensure uninterrupted service for everyone.”
India on Wednesday struck at nine sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, its deepest strikes inside Pakistan in decades, in retaliation for a deadly terrorist attack two weeks before. Thereafter, Pakistan attempted to unleash drones and missiles at Indian military targets in more than a dozen cities and towns, many of them home to air force bases.
The three firms advised the citizens to stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush, which will help the company in keeping their supply lines running seamlessly and ensure uninterrupted fuel access for all.
Meanwhile, Nayara Energy, in a statement, said its 4,05,000 barrel per day refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat continues to operate at full capacity.
“All our retail outlets are operating normally, and we are well stocked to meet fuel demand. We are keeping a close watch on the situation, staying in regular contact with government officials, and complying fully with the established guidelines. We have multiple tiers of security at the refinery with robust surveillance mechanisms. This security apparatus works in close collaboration with the government’s agencies,” it added. (PTI)