Terming fuel shortage reports as misleading, Chief General Manager and State Head and State Level Coordinator, Oil Industry, Madhya Pradesh Ajay Kumar Shrivastava informed ‘The Hitavada’ that in the State there are around 7,000 petrol pumps. There is no report of shortage from any of the pumps. Certainly, there has been information about increasing load on these pumps as commercial customers who used to purchase crude oil directly from the company have switched to local outlets due to cheaper price at retail outlets/ petrol pumps as compared to company’s direct supply. This mounts to increase in sale at pumps. Replying about how much this diversion from commercial users has happened, he said it is around 20% of total sale from petrol pumps. It has exerted pressure on the logistics, which our team is trying to address. That is why higher-than-normal sales are being recorded at some outlets. Moreover, in last few days, rates of petroleum has also been increased due to West Asia crisis and rising global crude oil prices have triggered fuel price hike in the country. So people are preferring to buy the product from public sector points rather than private ones. Emphasising on preparedness, he said that too can be met comfortably. Pumps are being told to keep necessary and rational stock to avoid last minute trouble. Replying about the queues at some locations, he also admitted that there is seasonal demand surge during the month of May and due to harvesting period earlier. The supply system is functioning smoothly.

 

A robust growth of 7% in retail sales of petrol (MS) and 22% in retail sales of diesel (HSD) was recorded in Madhya Pradesh during May 2026 compared to the same period last year. An increase in demand is being observed due to seasonal agricultural activities and a shift of institutional and commercial consumers towards public sector retail outlets—driven by price differentials compared to other suppliers in the region. There may be sporadic incidents of dry out at a few pumps but it is nothing to do with stock. Such situation arises due to their own operational and management level. For instance, some person at a particular pump may go on leave and another did not take his charge and likewise. He clarified that fuel supply remains stable and urged people to avoid panic booking or unnecessary stocking. He urged people to buy fuel as per requirement. We are committed to maintain smooth supply chain logistics for petrol and diesel. Over the issue of LPG, he assured there is safe and reliable gas supply for every household. Since the beginning of West Asia crisis, it is our priority.

 

Customers are encouraged to book LPG through official online channels now companies are going to avoid any other route of supply to the customers. We are following deliveries with OTP only. Earlier there were some leniency which have now been stopped. Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) continue operations of their depot and terminals today, even though Sunday is closed. This is being done to ensure uninterrupted availability of Petrol (MS), Diesel (HSD) and LPG amid a sharp increase in fuel demand in several regions. To maintain seamless fuel availability across the State, Public Sector OMCs are continuously reviewing stock positions and closely coordinating on logistics and distribution planning to efficiently meet the enhanced demand scenario. Supply teams, transport networks, terminal operations and selected retail outlets are functioning 24x7 to ensure seamless product movement, true to the spirit of ‘We are Always There’. Citizens are advised to continue normal purchasing, avoid unnecessary hoarding and panic buying. Consumers are urged to rely only on official communications issued by authorised agencies and Oil Marketing Companies for information related to fuel availability.