Despite reassuring messages from Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector and district administration regarding ample fuel stock, Nagpur city is currently in the throes of a ‘self-inflicted’ petrol crisis. A potent mix of panic buying, uncoordinated supply chains, and technical glitches has turned a logistical hiccup into widespread chaos, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded and petrol pump operators struggling to manage the overwhelming demand. The primary driver of the chaos is the highly unpredictable delivery schedule of oil tankers from central depots to individual retail outlets.

 

The supply chain has become a game of chance for commuters while some pumps receive their stock in the early morning, others remain dry until late afternoon or evening. Contd from page 1 This vice-versa situation means that a pump functional at 8 am might run out of stock by noon, while a neighbouring station remains closed all morning only to start operations as the sun sets. This inconsistency triggers immediate alarm, as the sight of a ‘No Stock’ board at any hour prompts citizens to rush to the next available station, creating localised congestion. Contrary to the initial perception of a physical shortage, the primary hurdle is a disruption in the flow of payments from petrol station owners to the oil companies.

 

A staff person of a pump station explained the reason regarding this to ‘The Hitavada’ saying, “Due to internal administrative and technical reasons, several station owners have faced delays in transferring funds for their daily fuel quotas. As oil companies now operate on a strict ‘pre-payment’ model, the supply of tankers is immediately halted when a station’s payment fails to clear. This is the fundamental reason behind the erratic fluctuation in supply; tankers are only dispatched once the company receives the transaction confirmation.” Panic buying fueling chaos This perception of scarcity has led to aggressive panic buying across the city. Instead of their usual top-ups, citizens are rushing to fill their tanks to maximum capacity, fearing a total shutdown. This sudden spike in demand is far exceeding the normal daily off-take that pumps are equipped to handle, exhausting even freshly replenished stocks in record time and further aggravating the crisis.

 

Adding to distress are frequent technical glitches involving digital payment systems. At numerous pumps, the surge in transaction volume, combined with localised network issues, is causing widespread failure of UPI and card payment gateways. One fuel outlet has even put up a prominent notice: ‘UPI AND CARD PAYMENT NOT WORKING. PLEASE COOPERATE’. This forces commuters, many of whom no longer carry significant cash, into a difficult position after waiting in long queues. The resulting arguments and delays are further slowing down the fuelling process, adding to frustration of the public. Domino effect on supply This financial friction has created a fragmented market. Morning vs Evening supply: Stations that clear their payments late in the evening receive morning deliveries, while those resolving financial issues during business hours don’t see tankers until the afternoon or night. Commenting on the issue, Amit Gupta, President, Vidarbha Petroleum Dealers’ Association (VPDA), said, “The problem of ‘dry pumps’ is temporary and tied directly to these digital and administrative settlements. As soon as the flow of transactions between the retail outlets and the oil companies resumes its smooth, automated rhythm, the supply of fuel tankers will stabilise. Once this fiscal bridge is restored, the artificial shortage is expected to dissolve, ending the localised rationing and panic buying gripping the city.”

 

Administration claims sufficiency, fuel pumps resort to rationing In a baffling contradiction to the district administration’s public assurances, many petrol pumps across Nagpur have taken matters into their own hands. To conserve dwindling stocks and ensure equitable distribution, several outlets have capped fuel sales. This unauthorised rationing restricts two-wheelers to just Rs 200 worth of fuel, while four-wheelers are being limited to a maximum of Rs 1,000, leaving many commuters unable to plan essential travel.

 

 

 Amidst growing anxiety and long queues at fuel stations, District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar has made a fervent appeal to citizens not to indulge in panic buying or hoard petrol and diesel beyond their immediate needs. Addressing a high-level review meeting at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hall, Dr Itankar emphasised that the current disruption is not due to a shortage, but rather a broken supply chain caused by fear-driven purchasing. Ample reserves in stock The Collector provided concrete data to dispel rumors of scarcity. Currently, Nagpur district holds a robust reserve of 1.05 crore litres of diesel and 35 lakh litres of petrol, which far exceeds the daily requirement of the region. The crisis is being fueled by a drastic shift in consumer behaviour. Two-wheelers: Average daily purchases have jumped from Rs 50 - Rs 100 to as high as Rs 500 - Rs 800 per customer. Four-wheelers: Normal buying patterns of Rs 300 - Rs 600 have skyrocketed to Rs 2,000 - Rs 6,000. Strict directives and law enforcement To streamline the situation, the administration has issued several key mandates: No loose sales: Fuel will only be dispensed directly into vehicles. Selling petrol in cans, bottles, or other external containers is strictly prohibited. Action against rumors: Dr Itankar warned that strict legal action will be taken against those spreading misinformation or false messages regarding fuel shortages on social media. Police presence: Adequate police bandobast is being deployed at petrol pumps to maintain order and manage crowds. Collector has also directed oil companies to increase supply frequency to meet the temporary surge in demand. Fuel Pump Dealers’ Association officials corroborated that while stock is plenty, the supply chain will only return to its natural rhythm if citizens stop over-purchasing.