₹500 for bikes, ₹1000 for bars: Strict rationing hits Andhra Pradesh petrol pumps amid supply panic

AMARAVATI: A wave of fuel shortages has gripped several districts in Andhra Pradesh as escalating tensions in West Asia sparked widespread concern over global supply chains. Reports indicate that "No Stock" boards began appearing at numerous petrol pumps starting Saturday morning, following initial reports of scarcity on Friday night.

The situation was exacerbated by rapid panic buying, which effectively drained local supplies faster than the distribution network could replenish them.

The crisis has hit the Rayalaseema region particularly hard:

• Kurnool District: A majority of petrol stations were forced to close by Saturday morning after an overnight surge in customers exhausted available reserves.
• YSR Kadapa: In the Proddatur area, 11 major outlets reported being out of stock. Long queues persist at the few remaining open stations, with high demand noted from industrial users purchasing diesel in bulk drums.
• Anantapur & Nellore: Many pumps have shifted to a rationing system to preserve remaining stock. Current limits reportedly include ₹10,000 for heavy vehicles, ₹5,000 for medium vehicles, ₹1,000 for cars, and ₹500 for motorcycles. In Nellore, specific shortages were noted in the Saidapuram and Kota mandals, while an HP outlet in Dattalur has reportedly remained closed for nearly three weeks.

To manage the escalating situation, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu convened an emergency high-level meeting. Addressing the crisis alongside Chief Secretary Sai Prasad and Civil Supplies Department officials, the government clarified that the state's main depots have sufficient reserves.

Data released during the meeting revealed that while the state increased supply by 10%, consumer demand skyrocketed by over 50% in a single day. Officials have directed the Civil Supplies Department to expedite tanker movements and have appealed to the public to avoid hoarding, as the shortage is a logistical bottleneck caused by the sudden spike in consumption rather than a genuine lack of fuel.