Pune: Queues at several petrol pumps in Pune were noticeably shorter or nearly absent on Monday, easing pressure at fuel stations. While some pumps continued to witness moderate crowds, oil companies maintained that there were no supply constraints and urged people not to indulge in panic buying.Rita Jagdale, a city-based working professional, said she noticed some rush at a petrol pump in the Market Yard area but believed panic buying had contributed to the situation. “I visited a petrol pump in Market Yard, where there was some rush. There was a queue, but we got petrol. Normally, I fill fuel worth Rs 250 for my two-wheeler, but on Monday I filled for Rs 350,” she said.Neil Cardoz, a city-based event manager, said the situation appeared much calmer at a fuel station in Koregaon Park. “The pump I visited was not crowded on Monday. Just a couple of cars and six to seven two-wheelers were in the queue,” he said.An attendant at a petrol pump in Shivajinagar said the situation had improved compared with the weekend. “Supplies were constrained during the weekend, but some improvement was seen on Monday as panic buying reduced and fewer vehicles queued up for refills,” the attendant said.IndianOil, in an official communication issued on Monday, stated that there was no disruption in fuel supply and that stocks remained adequate. The company said that during the period from May 1 to 16, it recorded a 22.8% increase in petrol sales in Pune district, with supplies reaching 12,011 kilolitres compared with 9,780 kilolitres during the corresponding period last year. Diesel supplies during the same period stood at 22,609 kilolitres, compared with 18,869 kilolitres last year, reflecting a growth of 19.8%.“Similarly, in Pune city, IndianOil supplied 6,336 kilolitres of petrol during May 1 to 16, compared with 5,434 kilolitres during the corresponding period last year, registering a growth of 16.6%. Diesel supplies stood at 5,467 kilolitres, compared with 4,529 kilolitres last year, reflecting a growth of 20.7%,” the statement read.It added that IndianOil was maintaining uninterrupted fuel supplies and meeting enhanced market demand without any restriction or rationing. “The temporary increase in customer queues at certain retail outlets is attributable to localised demand fluctuations in nearby areas,” it read.In a post on X, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) said fuel stocks across the country were sufficient and supply chain operations were functioning smoothly. “There is absolutely no need for panic buying or unnecessary rush at fuel stations,” the company stated, urging consumers to refuel only according to their regular requirements.A BPCL spokesperson told TOI, “Our growth in Pune up to May 17 this month has been significantly higher. Petrol sales grew by 13.6% and diesel by 16.29%. In April, the growth was lower, at 3.40% for petrol and 12.98% for diesel. Hence, it appears panic buying may have had some impact at the local level. We are maintaining supplies at all retail outlets.”
