Srinagar, March 26, KNT: Long queues were witnessed at petrol pumps across Kashmir on Thursday as commuters rushed to refuel their vehicles despite government assurances that fuel stocks remain adequate, officials and witnesses said.
The rush comes amid lingering concerns and rumours over supply disruptions, prompting what officials described as precautionary buying by the public rather than an actual shortage.
Authorities have maintained that petrol, diesel and LPG supplies are sufficient, with stocks being monitored on a daily basis to ensure uninterrupted distribution across the Valley.
Fuel station employees said they are facing an unusual surge in demand, making operations challenging at several outlets.
“We are getting regular supply and there is no shortage of petrol and diesel,” a fuel station employee said, adding that the situation has been driven largely by public anxiety.
However, he noted that availability of high-quality “Speed” petrol is limited at some outlets due to increased demand.
Officials reiterated that there is no need for panic buying and urged people to ignore unverified information circulating on social media.
The situation highlights a gap between official assurances and public response, with commuters continuing to queue up at fuel stations as a precautionary measure.
Authorities said efforts are underway to ensure smooth supply and advised the public to rely only on official sources for updates.
[KNT]
