The Petrol Bunk Owners’ Association has said there is no shortage of petrol or diesel in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and that stocks are sufficient for about 21 days. State president Murali appealed to the public not to panic.
He said diesel should be bought in cans only for essential needs such as generators and emergencies. Hoarding fuel out of fear, he warned, could create an artificial shortage and unnecessary queues.
Murali noted that motorists can refuel at any outlet from Chennai to Kanyakumari. He also pointed out that the number of petrol bunks has increased from around 4,000 in 2013-14 to about 7,000 now, helping ensure steady availability.
According to him, reports about oil companies asking distributors to halt supply of commercial LPG cylinders led some people to assume fuel would be next, triggering higher-than-usual sales at bunks. He said the Centre has announced that fuel prices will not be increased, and urged public cooperation to avoid creating a crisis.
He added that the central government has fuel reserves for about 90 days, and that Tamil Nadu has 14 fuel terminals. Oil company officials in Chennai, he said, have also assured him there are no restrictions and that tankers would be dispatched in advance as needed.
