Fuel fears spread across MMR after a Kharghar outlet shut, dealers urge calm

Representation pic

Despite scattered disruptions at a few petrol pumps across Navi Mumbai and parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), fuel dealers and pump operators have insisted there is no fuel shortage at present and appealed to citizens not to panic-buy. However, isolated shutdowns, long queues at select outlets and rumours linked to global tensions trig gered anxiety among motorists on Thursday.

A mid-day ground check across MMR found most fuel stations operating normally, with disruptions at select outlets linked to payment issues and delayed replenishment - not because of a lack of fuel stock.

Eastern suburbs

Dealers blame payment system shift

Former Petrol Dealers Association of Mumbai president Ravi Shinde said oil companies had moved away from their long-running credit system and were now demanding advance payments before fuel delivery.

Ravi Petrol Pump in Chembur

We are in fuel saving mode

Ravi Shinde, former president, Petrol Dealers Association of Mumbai
‘What many people are assuming - that there is a shortage of petrol in the country leading to pumps being closed - is a half-truth. As the war in West Asia is ongoing, we as a country are in a fuel-saving mode, and that is true. But the reasons for pumps being closed are different. In the last few weeks, oil companies have stopped functioning on the credit system and are demanding upfront payments for fuel delivery, which has caused the issue. If a pump wants fuel supplied on Monday or Tuesday, oil companies are now asking for payments on Sundays or Saturdays. When pump owners do not have cash in hand, they shut operations as banks are closed over the weekend as well'

Commuter Speak

Mahendra Patil, Auto driver
‘I or any of my friend or family have not faced any difficulty. We are running smoothly and hope to be doing the same in the coming weeks'

No lack of supply

Chetan Modi, Petrol Dealers Association president
‘There could be hoarding or other issues. But there is no lack of fuel supply for now. There has been a change in the system for security by not supplying advance stock, which might have led to issues for some. Earlier, the payment was done in the evening after the tanker had unloaded fuel, now payment is sought before the tankers are unloaded. This must have led to problems for a few who take fuel on credit. But categorically, there are no shortage issues for now'

Western suburbs

Rumours high, disruption low
A spot check across western suburbs found most pumps functioning normally despite online rumours of shortages.

Fuel station owner,
‘We are receiving regular supply from the oil company so no supply issue yet. Some pumps may have gone dry briefly due to their individual financial irregularities'. The Bharat Petroleum outlet at Murali Bohara Chowk in Goregaon remained fully operational.'

BP outlet in Goregaon

Commuter voices

Karan Kamble, Goregaon resident
‘From Goregaon to Santacruz I haven't noticed any petrol pump that has gone dry'

Aslam Munir Shaikh, Nalasopara resident
‘Apart from a petrol pump near Andheri station where the petrol tanker had not arrived, no pump has failed to provide me with petrol'

Pump owner voice

Ashok Chedda, Owner, Matunga Auto IOL pump
‘Due to the war, oil supply may or may not be hampered in near future, that uncertainty remains but currently no such shortage is there'

Navi Mumbai

One shutdown, multiple queues
The closure of an HP petrol pump in Kharghar Sector-12 caused panic-like scenes, with motorists crowding nearby pumps fearing a wider crisis. The outlet displayed a notice stating petrol, diesel and CNG were unavailable.
The shutdown pushed customers towards nearby stations, especially an Indian Oil outlet in Sector-14 where long queues formed through the day.

Ravi Sabne, Manager of the HP outlet
‘There is no stock available at present as the supply is not coming from the Vashi terminal. The same situation has continued for the last two days'

An Indian Oil official,
‘There is no shortage of stock or supply problem from our terminal. Because the HP petrol pump at Sector-12 is not operational, many vehicle owners are coming here, which is resulting in long queues'

Raju Yadav, Manager, Bharat Petroleum's Sector-2
‘As of now, there is no issue regarding stock or supply at our pump. The Sewree terminal has adequate stock. But we cannot predict what the situation may be in the coming days'

Commuter Speaks

Sachin Kamble, Kharghar resident
‘The board mentioning no petrol and diesel availability is creating fear among the public. Many people are linking it to war-like situations and possible shortages'

Mumbai CNG price up by Rs 2/kg, now costs Rs 84

The Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) on Thursday announced a Rs 2 per kg hike in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in and around Mumbai, citing rising global energy procurement costs amid geopolitical uncertainties and increasing dependence on expensive fuel sources.

According to the company, due to geopolitical disruptions affecting the global energy supply chain, coupled with increased dependence on expensive gas sources, rising crude oil prices, and rupee depreciation, overall gas procurement costs have risen significantly.

In a statement, MGL said it was "compelled" to revise CNG prices by Rs 2 per kg with effect from midnight of May 13/morning of May 14, 2026. Following the hike, the revised delivered price of CNG, inclusive of all taxes, will be Rs 84 per kg in and around Mumbai.

Official Speak

MGL, spokesperson,
‘Even after the above revision, MGL's CNG offers attractive savings of about 44 per cent and 7 per cent as compared to petrol and diesel respectively at current price levels in Mumbai'

Ground reality check

Area Situation
Kharghar Sector-12 HP pump shut for two days
Kharghar Sector-14 Long queues due to diverted traffic
Eastern suburbs Most pumps operational
Goregaon Supply normal
Nalasopara-Andheri route One temporary disruption reported
Matunga No shortage reported

Rajendra B Aklekar