no-fuel-shortage-don-t-panic-bpcl-reacts-to-viral-video

Bharat Petroleum Corp. is seeking to allay rising concerns about fuel shortages, saying reports of disruptions in supplies are "misleading" and assuring motorists of sufficient stockpiles and alternative sources of supply, including from other countries, to withstand any short-term volatility in global oil prices due to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday.

 

The intervention from BPCL comes amid a spate of panic buying at petrol stations, especially in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as images of huge crowds and queues at fuel stations went viral. The video, posted by journalist Ranvijay Singh, resulted in calls for the government to act on what appeared to be a "panic pumping" surge across the nation. In response to the viral video, BPCL urged people not to believe hearsay and rush to petrol stations, saying fuel supply is going on smoothly.

 

Rumours about disruption in petrol and diesel supply due to the Strait of Hormuz are misleading. India has adequate fuel reserves and alternative supply sources to manage short-term global disruptions, and BPCL continues to ensure smooth fuel availability. Please do not rely on…

— Bharat Petroleum (@BPCLimited) March 25, 2026

 

This domestic unease comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sombre address to Parliament earlier this week. As the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran enters its fourth week, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the "choking" of the Strait of Hormuz — a maritime artery responsible for a fifth of the world’s oil — presents a "concerning" challenge for India’s import-dependent economy. While the PM confirmed that the government is working to secure essential shipments of crude, gas, and fertilisers, he also struck a note of caution, warning that these "difficult global conditions" are likely to persist for the foreseeable future.

 

The government has highlighted India’s strategic petroleum reserves, which currently stand at over 5.3 million metric tonnes. However, with the situation in West Asia remains fluid, the sight of empty pumps in some regional pockets has made it difficult for officials to completely erase the spectre of rationing. For now, the message from the petroleum ministry is one of "patience and restraint," even as it continues to hunt for non-Middle Eastern sources to keep the country’s wheels turning.

 

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