A sudden Durg fuel rush was witnessed across the city after rumours of petrol and diesel shortage spread rapidly on social media. Within hours, fuel stations in multiple areas saw long queues of vehicles as residents rushed to fill their tanks, fearing an imminent shortage. The situation escalated from Thursday evening and continued till late Friday night, with several petrol pumps reporting unusually high footfall compared to normal days.

Long Queues at Pumps

By early morning, most fuel stations in Durg were crowded with bikes, cars, and other vehicles waiting for their turn. In several locations, queues stretched onto main roads, leading to traffic congestion and chaos. At peak hours, the demand became so high that some fuel pumps temporarily ran out of stock. However, officials clarified that this was due to sudden surge in demand rather than any actual supply crisis.

Stock Status Confirmed

Despite the panic, district administration confirmed that there is no shortage of fuel in Durg. According to official data, the district has sufficient petrol and diesel stock to meet demand for more than five days. Authorities stated that on average, the district consumes around 293 kilolitres of petrol and 374 kilolitres of diesel daily. Current reserves are well above this requirement, ensuring stable supply.

Bottles and Containers Misuse

Amid the panic, several individuals were seen violating safety norms by filling petrol and diesel in bottles, cans, and large containers. Such practices are strictly prohibited due to fire and safety risks. Officials noted that this behaviour contributed to additional chaos at fuel stations and slowed down regular operations for other consumers.

Rumours Trigger Crisis

The entire situation was triggered by unverified rumours suggesting a possible fuel shortage in the city. As misinformation spread, people began panic buying fuel far beyond their immediate needs. On Thursday, fuel sales reportedly doubled compared to normal consumption levels, putting sudden pressure on supply chains at retail outlets.

Temporary Supply Disruption

Due to the sudden spike in demand, several petrol pumps experienced temporary depletion of stock. However, oil companies quickly replenished supplies to restore normal operations. Administration officials confirmed that continuous monitoring is being carried out to ensure smooth fuel distribution across all 189 petrol pumps in the district.

Strict Action Warning

The district administration has issued a warning against hoarding, black marketing, and violation of fuel distribution rules. Officials stated that strict action will be taken against anyone found creating artificial scarcity or exploiting the situation. Authorities are also coordinating with oil companies to maintain uninterrupted supply and prevent any further disruption.

Social Media Role

Officials have urged citizens to avoid believing or spreading unverified information circulating on social media. They emphasized that misinformation played a major role in triggering the Durg fuel rush. The administration has appealed to residents to rely only on official statements and avoid unnecessary panic buying.

Public Reaction and Chaos

Across the city, residents expressed frustration over long waiting times at petrol pumps. While some rushed to fill tanks fully, others were seen carrying extra fuel in containers, worsening congestion at stations. Despite confirmation of adequate stock, fear-driven buying behaviour continued to dominate fuel stations for most of the day.

Administrative Control Measures

Collector Abhijit Singh directed continuous monitoring of petrol pumps and instructed officials to stay in constant coordination with fuel supply companies. The administration also ensured that pumps that temporarily ran dry were refilled promptly to restore normalcy.

Situation Normalising

By late Friday, fuel supply began stabilising as awareness increased about the actual stock availability. Authorities expect the situation to return to normal once panic subsides completely. Officials reiterated that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the district and urged citizens to purchase fuel as per actual requirement only.

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