Alleged fuel shortage across Odisha has disrupted normal life in several parts of the state, with daily wage earners, gig workers, fishermen and transport operators among the worst affected.
Long queues were seen outside petrol pumps in many districts as panic buying intensified fears of a fuel crisis. Several commuters and workers complained that they were struggling to continue their daily activities due to limited availability of petrol and diesel.
Amid growing concern, the Odisha government maintained that there was no actual shortage of fuel and blamed the situation on panic buying by the public.
A senior government official said the sudden spike in demand had put pressure on the supply chain, leading to temporary disruption in fuel distribution. The official added that oil marketing companies were working overtime to restore normal supply across the state.
The government assured people that the situation would return to normal within the next 48 hours, likely by Monday, and appealed to the public not to panic or resort to unnecessary stockpiling of fuel.
The shortage has particularly affected people dependent on daily travel and transport for their livelihood, including auto-rickshaw drivers, delivery workers, fishermen and small transport operators.
