Long queues, panic buying grip Kashmir as petrol runs low

Srinagar, Sep 15: With petrol stock dipping sharply amid partial closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the fuel stations across Kashmir witnessed a massive rush and long queues on Monday, as worried motorists scrambled to secure whatever fuel they could get.

From Hyderpora to Lal Chowk and Bemina to Old City, downtown parts, long lines of cars, bikes, auto-rickshaws, sumo vehicle and others spilled out onto main roads, causing traffic snarls and chaotic scenes.

At some stations, people arrived with plastic cans and bottles, seeking to store extra petrol fearing a longer crisis.

“We opened earlier and within a few hours, more than half our stock was gone. People are filling tanks to the brim and even bringing extra containers,” said an attendant at a petrol pump in Srinagar’s downtown area while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said they are trying to ration sales now so that everyone gets at least some.

Other commuters told KNO they had to wait for over an hour in lines stretching several hundred metres, while many returned empty-handed as stocks ran out by afternoon at several stations in Srinagar city and other Kashmir parts.

Amid the growing public panic, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, in the morning told KNO, petrol stocks are being replenished and will be restored within the next 48 hours, while diesel and LPG supplies remain stable across the Valley.

The Div Com Garg said round-the-clock work is underway to restore the rain-hit Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, while fuel trucks are being rerouted through the Mughal Road to keep essential supplies flowing.

“Essentials are stocked well. Diesel and LPG are sufficient and there is a shortage of petrol at present. But it will be refilled within two days,” Garg said, urging the public to remain calm and avoid panic buying.

Moreover, the petrol pump owners at some parts also said, social media rumours about an impending ‘shutdown’ of fuel supplies added to the panic, prompting people to rush to stations even if they had sufficient fuel.

By late afternoon, many of the filling stations had gone dry and displayed “No Petrol” boards, while attendants tried to pacify angry customers.

Additionally, authorities have appealed to people to cooperate and buy only what is necessary so that emergency and essential service vehicles do not suffer disruption۔