Gig staff caught in queues, ‘2,000 buses off roads’: Panic shopping for of gasoline results in disruptions in Odisha, no scarcity says govt | India Information
3 min learnBhubaneswarCould 16, 2026 07:10 AM IST
With panic shopping for of petrol and diesel resulting in a number of gasoline stations working out of inventory in numerous elements of Odisha, gig staff and personal bus operators have raised issues, whilst the federal government appealed to individuals to not panic, saying the state has sufficient inventory to final for days.
On Friday, gasoline stations throughout Odisha witnessed heavier-than-usual crowds as individuals rushed to purchase petrol and diesel. In some locations, individuals had been seen shopping for gasoline in massive barrels and drums.
In Bhubaneswar, lengthy strains of automobiles had been seen at a number of gasoline stations, with motorists queuing up for between two and three hours at some locations. Police had been deployed exterior a few of the gasoline stations in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack as a result of rush.
The state of affairs has disrupted personal bus operations in Odisha, with the personal bus homeowners’ affiliation saying that almost 2,000 buses have stopped plying as a result of unavailability of gasoline in rural areas.
The affiliation on Friday held a gathering with the State Transport Authority (STA) to debate options to the issue.
The state authorities on Friday held a gathering with representatives of oil corporations and urged individuals to not resort to panic shopping for. The state’s Meals Provides and Shopper Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra stated Odisha has ample gasoline inventory to final 13 days.
“The state of affairs was resulting from panic shopping for by some individuals, who continued to buy extra gasoline than they required… Due to this, the demand has all of a sudden spiked by practically 50%,” stated Patra.
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Briefing reporters in Bhubaneswar, Indian Oil Company Restricted chief common supervisor Kamal Sheel additionally urged individuals to keep away from panic shopping for and hoarding, assuring that there was ample inventory of petrol and diesel in Odisha.
In response to official sources, Odisha requires practically 45 lakh litres of petrol and greater than 1 crore litres of diesel daily, and the state retains a minimal inventory for practically 15 days.
‘How can we run our household?’
Gig staff have been among the many worst affected. Kamalakanta Barik, who works as a supply individual, stated whereas ready for gasoline at a filling station in Bhubaneswar that the state of affairs was making it tough for him to make ends meet.
“The state authorities is claiming that there’s ample gasoline, however why do we’ve to attend for 2 to a few hours to get one or two litres of petrol? If we spend hours simply to refuel our automobile, how can we dedicate time to work and earn a residing? How can we run our household in such a state of affairs?” he requested.
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Ashok Rout, who works as a motorbike taxi operator, had comparable issues. “If the state of affairs continues, we are going to lose no matter meagre earnings we used to earn, and we’ll have to go away this place with our household. The federal government solely makes tall claims and does nothing for the frequent individuals,” alleged Rout.
Contemplating the frenzy, many gasoline stations have capped gasoline gross sales at Rs 200 for two-wheelers and Rs 1,000 for four-wheelers.
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