Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reassured the public that there is an ample supply of petrol and diesel in the state, urging citizens not to rush to fuel stations following widespread panic buying. Patel, speaking at an event in Gandhinagar launching the ‘Sugam Digital Gujarat’ initiative, emphasized that there is no scarcity of fuel stocks and urged people to stay calm. Despite global circumstances, he highlighted that the supply of petrol and diesel is sufficient, advising against forming unnecessary queues and ensuring everyone’s needs are met.
The Chief Minister mentioned that efforts by both the Centre and the State are in place to maintain an uninterrupted supply of cooking gas. He also acknowledged the proactive measures being taken to prevent any inconvenience to citizens, with the state government ensuring adequate distribution. Patel’s statements come in response to the long queues observed at petrol pumps in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot on Monday, which led to traffic congestion and waiting times.
The rush at fuel stations was triggered by misinformation and temporary disruptions at some outlets, including issues related to payment systems and tanker deliveries. Government and industry officials clarified that there is no actual shortage of fuel and that the supply chains are operating normally. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi echoed Patel’s reassurance, urging citizens not to panic and emphasizing the availability of sufficient petrol and diesel. He emphasized that there is no need to hoard fuel and that the situation is under regular review to ensure smooth supply.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure regular fuel supply to all petrol pumps and promptly resolve any technical or logistical challenges that may arise. They cautioned against spreading misinformation and encouraged the public to rely on official updates as the situation stabilizes.
