PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, May 13: A worsening fuel shortage has started affecting normal life across Jamshedpur and the Kolhan region, with nearly 40 per cent of petrol pumps reportedly running out of stock and several others introducing strict rationing amid rising panic buying.
Long queues of vehicles, frustrated customers, and “No Stock” signs were visible at many fuel stations across the steel city on Tuesday. At the same time, the crisis also spread to nearby rural areas where several pumps have exhausted their supplies completely.
Reduced fuel allocation behind shortage
The shortage of both petrol and diesel is being linked to reduced fuel allocations from depots operated by state-run oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
Petrol pump dealers claimed that the revised supply formula, reportedly based on average sales figures from May last year, has failed to match the sharp rise in current demand.
“Demand has surged dramatically, but supply remains tied to outdated figures. We are running out of stock much earlier than expected, and managing customer frustration has become a challenge,” said a fuel station operator in Bistupur.
Petrol pumps impose rationing measures
To manage available stock, several fuel stations in the city have imposed temporary restrictions on fuel sales.
At some outlets, private vehicles are being allowed only 30 to 40 litres of petrol per refill, while diesel sales for commercial vehicles have also been capped.
In a few locations, regular petrol has completely run out, forcing consumers to buy higher-priced premium fuel.
Fuel sales in cans and containers have also been suspended temporarily to prevent hoarding and black-market trading.
Rural areas hit hard, commuters face difficulties
The situation has become more severe in rural areas such as Potka, where smaller petrol pumps have either shut operations after exhausting supplies or are selling fuel in very limited quantities, sometimes restricting sales to as little as ₹100 per customer.
“I had to visit different petrol pumps before I could fill my scooter. Every place had long queues and anxious people waiting,” said Amit Verma, a college student from Sakchi.
“For those of us who commute daily, this is not just an inconvenience—it’s affecting our livelihoods. We cannot afford to waste hours searching for fuel,” said Sunita Sharma, a bank employee from Kadma.
Commercial vehicle operators and auto-rickshaw drivers have also expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding fuel availability.
“If supplies are not restored immediately, public transport and goods delivery will suffer. Already, many drivers are reducing trips to conserve fuel,” said an auto-rickshaw driver in Mango.
Panic buying worsens situation
The fuel shortage has triggered panic buying across the city, with residents rushing to refill tanks fearing the crisis may continue for several more days.
Fuel dealers appealed to people not to hoard fuel unnecessarily.
“Fresh supplies are expected soon, but public cooperation is essential. Panic buying is only worsening the situation,” said a representative of the local petrol pump dealers’ association.
The ongoing shortage has raised concerns about fuel supply preparedness in Jamshedpur, one of Jharkhand’s key industrial hubs.
Transporters warned that if supplies are not restored quickly, school bus services, industrial logistics, emergency vehicles, and routine business operations could face serious disruption.