The Jorhat district administration on March 26 dismissed rumours of a fuel shortage, saying an unprecedented rush at petrol pumps over the past two days was driven by panic buying after misinformation. District Commissioner Jay Shivani told a press conference that petrol and diesel supplies across the district remain normal despite a sharp spike in demand.
Shivani said the surge in customers has raised consumption but not interrupted supply. “There is no shortage from the supply side. The surge in demand and long queues are purely due to panic buying. We urge people not to indulge in it,” he said. Officials reported that the rush followed reports linking possible disruptions to the ongoing Middle East conflict, as well as temporary closures of a few local stations.
Jorhat has 56 fuel stations, mostly run by Indian Oil, followed by Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum. According to figures cited by the DC, Indian Oil — which normally records about 70–80 kilolitres (kl) of daily sales — saw demand jump to roughly 200 kl, an increase of about 171%. Hindustan Petroleum’s sales rose from an average 27–28 kl to about 42–45 kl, a roughly 48% rise. Officials also noted that many motorists refuelled multiple vehicles or filled tanks unnecessarily, further straining pumps.
Shivani explained that the temporary closure of around four to five stations in Jorhat town was due not to supply cuts but to changes in credit policies by oil marketing companies. With revised norms and pending liabilities, some depot owners were unable to lift fuel; most have started clearing dues and are expected to reopen shortly. Authorities believe these closures helped fuel public alarm and higher footfall at operational outlets.
Oil marketing companies are maintaining regular supplies and, in some cases, providing same-day replenishment to meet the surge. “Even with increased demand, all customers are being served. There has been no disruption in supply anywhere in the district or the state,” Shivani added. The administration is also working to manage traffic and organise entry and exit at pumps, where long queues and disorderly lines had caused chaotic scenes.
Residents were asked to remain calm and avoid unnecessary purchases; officials expect queues to ease in the next couple of days. The district dismissed rumours of any imminent price hike and said LPG supplies are stable. A control room for fuel and LPG grievances has been activated; the helpline number is 6000901074. The administration urged citizens to rely only on official updates.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/no-shortage-says-district-admin-as-fuel-demand-soars-amid-panic-buying-in-jorhat-1609876
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2026-03-26 18:50:00
