20 May,2026 04:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis said temporary disruptions in fuel availability are being caused mainly due to panic buying by consumers. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday dismissed concerns over petrol and diesel shortages in the state and appealed to citizens not to panic buy fuel, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said there is sufficient supply of petrol and diesel across Maharashtra and urged people to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.
The Chief Minister said temporary disruptions in fuel availability are being caused mainly due to panic buying by consumers.
"There is an adequate supply of petrol and diesel in Maharashtra. Panic buying disturbs the supply chain that has developed over several years," he said, according to the PTI.
CM Fadnavis compared the situation to a bank system, explaining that supply chains are designed to handle normal daily demand and can face temporary pressure if everyone attempts to purchase excess fuel at the same time.
He added that when people begin storing more petrol and diesel than required, it affects regular distribution and creates short-term shortages.
CM Fadnavis was responding to allegations made by Jayant Patil regarding an alleged fuel shortage affecting police vehicles in Nagpur.
Rejecting the claims, the Chief Minister said there was no issue regarding fuel availability for police operations anywhere in the state.
He also stated that action had been taken against the individual who reportedly spread incorrect information about the matter.
Earlier in the day, Jayant Patil criticised the government over reports of fuel shortages in some parts of Maharashtra.
In a post on X, the former state finance minister questioned whether "even the oil in the engines of the double-engine government has run out", while referring to reports linked to fuel supply concerns.
However, the state government maintained that petrol and diesel stocks remain available in adequate quantities across Maharashtra.
"In Jalgaon, some unidentified persons stabbed a petrol pump worker in the stomach after being told there was no petrol. In Buldhana district, people stood in queues for 12 hours hoping to get petrol," Patil said, as per the PTI.
At Washim Naka, there were fights over petrol and diesel. In Nagpur, police do not have diesel (for their vehicles) to search for a missing girl, the former state NCP (SP) chief claimed.
"What exactly is going on? Has even the oil in the engines of the double-engine government run out?" Patil asked.
The ruling alliance commonly uses the term 'double-engine government' to describe its party being in power simultaneously at the Centre and in a state.
(with PTI inputs)
