22 May,2026 05:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Officials said the spike was linked to public concerns over geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rumours of a possible fuel shortage. Representational Pic/File
Maharashtra recorded a sharp rise in petrol and diesel sales during the first half of May 2026 as panic buying triggered by fears over possible fuel supply disruptions led to unusually high demand across several districts, reported the PTI.
According to the Maharashtra Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, diesel sales increased by 19.66 per cent, while petrol sales rose by 20.39 per cent during the first fortnight of May, the news agency reported.
Officials said the spike was linked to public concerns over geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rumours of a possible fuel shortage.
The department stated that fuel sales witnessed an even sharper jump on May 19 alone, when diesel consumption surged by 42 per cent and petrol sales by 21 per cent compared to normal daily averages, as per the PTI.
Eleven districts, mainly in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, reported unusually high fuel demand. These included Akola, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Buldhana, Hingoli, Jalgaon, Jalna, Latur, Dharashiv, Parbhani and Washim. The district recorded the steepest increase in petrol sales at 42 per cent above normal daily consumption, followed by Jalgaon at 40 per cent. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Beed each saw a 27 per cent rise, according to the PTI.
In diesel sales, Akola reported the highest jump at 111 per cent above average consumption, closely followed by Washim at 109 per cent. Jalgaon registered a 72 per cent increase, while Beed recorded a 63 per cent rise.
Akola reported petrol sales of 276 kilolitres (KL) and diesel sales of 779 KL on May 19, compared to average daily sales of 215 KL and 369 KL respectively.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar recorded petrol sales of 860 KL and diesel sales of 1,757 KL, significantly higher than the district's average daily figures.
Beed, Jalgaon, Buldhana, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Dharashiv, Parbhani and Washim also reported major increases in both petrol and diesel consumption.
Despite the sudden rise in demand, the state government maintained that fuel supplies remained uninterrupted and adequate stocks were available across Maharashtra.
The department appealed to citizens not to indulge in unnecessary fuel purchases or hoarding based on rumours.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal also reassured the public that there was no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state and urged people to avoid panic buying, the PTI reported.
Officials said speculation regarding possible supply disruptions due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia contributed to anxiety among consumers, particularly in districts heavily dependent on road transport and agricultural diesel usage.
The government reiterated that fuel distribution systems across Maharashtra continue to function normally.
(with PTI inputs)
