Jamshedpur Fuel Shortage Rumors Spark Panic Buying, Administration Intervenes

Jamshedpur: Social media rumours of fuel shortage and an imminent price hike worsened panic buying on Thursday. Long queues were reported outside petrol pumps for the third consecutive day, forcing the East Singhbhum district administration to launch emergency interventions to restore public order.East Singhbhum deputy commissioner (DC) Rajiv Ranjan and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Piyush Pandey convened an emergency meeting with oil company executives and fuel pump operators. “There is absolutely no shortage of petrol or diesel supply in the district. Panic buying, driven by social media rumours, is causing pandemonium-like situation,” Ranjan stated.“Fuel stations must install public address systems to regularly broadcast actual fuel availability.

Operators and administrative bodies have been asked to use digital platforms to counter rumours with verified data,” the DC said.Oil companies have also been directed to ensure uninterrupted supply deliveries and maintain additional buffer stocks.SSP Pandey said they would prohibit selling fuel in loose containers or jerrycans.In Ranchi, DC Manjunath Bhajantri convened meeting with oil companies and representatives of petrol pumps on Thursday night to take stock of the situation.

The DC said, “The administration is closely monitoring the situation.”Appealing to public to “fill fuel only as per actual needs,” DC Bhajantri said, “I have directed oil company officials to take necessary steps to maintain smooth supply in the district.”Representatives of oil companies ruled out any fuel shortage.Motorists, including factory workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, and corporate employees, flooded fuel stations from early hours. The heavy footfall triggered scuffles, line-jumping, and heated arguments.