Panic buying, fueled by rumors of an imminent fuel shortage, resulted in numerous petrol stations running out of stock in Tamil Nadu’s delta districts on Thursday. Motorists in districts like Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai rushed to fill their tanks amidst concerns of supply disruptions, especially in the morning hours. The surge in demand was driven by unverified social media messages hinting at a potential scarcity of fuel due to the West Asia conflict.
While urban petrol outlets quickly depleted their petrol stocks, some diesel supplies remained available, as many commercial vehicle operators had already stocked up earlier. Private diesel commercial vehicle service providers had accumulated enough fuel to sustain their operations for about a week, lessening the immediate diesel demand at retail outlets. Surprisingly, there were fewer autorickshaws at petrol stations compared to the heavy influx of two-wheelers and cars.
Despite the panic buying in urban areas, rural regions like Thiruthuraipoondi and Vedaranyam experienced normal fuel sales without significant crowds. However, a few petrol stations near Velankanni faced temporary petrol shortages due to a sudden increase in demand. Regular customers, including auto drivers and small commercial operators, had been forewarned and supplied with fuel in advance to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Private service providers like earthmover operators and tour operators maintain emergency fuel reserves by purchasing petrol or diesel in plastic cans during supply uncertainties. The situation was relatively calm in rural areas, contrasting the urban panic buying scenario in the delta districts.
