Dry tanks or dry rumours? Mumbai motorists and dealers report no fuel crisis

A brief rush earlier this week led to queues at the Taximan BP pump after nearby stations faced delayed deliveries, though officials say there is no fuel shortage. PICS/SARTHAK MEHTA

Amid a wave of rumours about petrol and diesel running dry, a ground check across Mumbai on Wednesday shows no signs of panic or shortage. Fuel stations across the city report steady supply, normal sales, and no unusual rush, even as misinformation continues to circulate.

Fuel supply remains steady at the Matunga Auto Indian Oil pump

The Petrol Dealers Association in Mumbai, which represents nearly 150 pump owners, confirmed there has been no disruption in supply, even in the four weeks since the West Asia conflict began.

What's actually happening on the ground

Ashok Chedda, owner of Matunga Auto Indian Oil
‘We are operating as usual and with no supply shortage from Indian Oil. We haven't seen any surge as well.

Sadashiv Serigar, manager, Taximan BP pump
‘The only moment of panic came earlier this week. On Monday, a few nearby pumps had delayed deliveries, so people rushed to us and queues built up. But that was temporary. There is no shortage.'

Operations resume at a Bandra fuel station after a temporary halt caused by a technical fault

Kamlesh Ghadhe, supervisor, Bandra
‘A brief shutdown at an HP pump added to the confusion. We had a technical fault in the machine, so we paused for a few minutes. It had nothing to do with fuel availability'

Motorists aren't buying the panic

Alauddin Siddiqui, Santacruz resident
‘I commute daily for work and I fill fuel daily of around R120-150. I have no insecurity about any shortage, it's all hoax, the government will ensure that these necessary fuels don't go dry.'

Aarzoo, a Vashi resident
‘I haven't experienced any shortage across Navi Mumbai to Bandra, I commute a lot daily thus I always fill a full tank, otherwise there is no panic buying from my end.'

Vinay Raul, Vile Parle
‘I haven't felt any panic or fuel shortage yet, few pumps which naturally get larger footfalls due to their location get busy during peak hours, such as Adarsh BP in Vile Parle East, but apart from these select cases there seems to be no scarcity or long queues that I have experienced so far.'

Voices

Chetan Modi, president of the association
‘There is no shortage in Mumbai. All our pumps have ample supply," said, . ‘Some pumps may briefly run dry, but that's usually due to delays in placing advance orders, especially over weekends, not because of any supply issue.'