Andhra Pradesh is currently grappling with a sudden and severe fuel shortage, leading to kilometer-long queues at petrol bunks across the state. The crisis, which escalated overnight due to rumors of a stock-out, has forced several filling stations to display ‘No Stock’ boards as desperate motorists scrambled to fill their tanks. Regions like Kurnool, Nandyal, Krishna, and the Godavari districts are reportedly the hardest hit, with many bunks adopting a rationing system—limiting fuel to Rs 500 per vehicle or a specific number of liters—to manage the dwindling supplies.
The root cause of this artificial scarcity is attributed to oil companies abruptly withdrawing ‘credit options’ for dealers, requiring them to pay upfront for stocks. This change in policy, combined with the high demand for diesel during the peak Rabi harvesting season, has severely strained the supply chain. Farmers and the aquaculture industry are particularly distressed, as a lack of diesel for harvesters, tractors, and aerators threatens to cause significant crop and economic losses.
In response to the escalating situation, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu conducted a high-level review meeting to restore normalcy. The government has coordinated with oil companies, who have agreed to supply 10% additional fuel compared to last April to meet the surge in demand. Authorities have urged citizens not to panic-buy or hoard fuel, assuring that there is no actual shortage of crude oil. To report any issues or stock unavailability, the Civil Supplies Department has encouraged the public to call the toll-free number 1967.
