Urgent Measures Taken to Resolve AP Fuel Shortage
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has launched an immediate intervention to address the fuel crisis currently affecting several parts of the state. After reports emerged that nearly 421 fuel stations were forced to shut down due to stock depletion, the government has moved into emergency mode to restore normalcy.
The shortage was primarily triggered by a sudden surge in demand and panic buying. While the overall supply of petrol and diesel has actually increased by 10% recently, the rapid rate of consumption outpaced logistics. This led to long queues at various outlets, particularly in major hubs like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, where “No Stock” boards appeared over the weekend.
The Chief Minister held a high-level teleconference with senior officials and representatives from major oil companies like HPCL, IOCL, and BPCL. He instructed these companies to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain and questioned the recent withdrawal of credit facilities to retail outlets. Naidu warned that any deliberate disruption of essential services would be met with strict administrative action.
To prevent further inconvenience, district collectors have been ordered to establish special task forces. These teams will monitor fuel distribution every three hours and provide real-time reports to the government. The state is also prioritizing diesel supply for the agriculture and aquaculture sectors to ensure that seasonal harvesting activities remain unaffected by the logistics gap.
The government has appealed to the public not to indulge in panic buying or hoarding fuel in containers, as stocks are being replenished rapidly. Officials confirmed that additional tankers are being dispatched to retail stations across the state, and normalcy is expected to return to all districts within the next 48 hours.
