Jalandhar witnessed heavy rush at petrol pumps after rumours of a fuel shortage spread across the city causing inconvenience to residents as long queues were seen at several fuel stations with people lining up both during the day and late at night to fill petrol and diesel.
The sudden increase in demand led to a petrol pump near Samvidhan Chowk running out of fuel and temporarily shutting down whereas, Salesman Sudarshan Singh said the stock finished around half an hour before the pump was closed and clarified that this was only a temporary shortage at that particular pump and there is no need for people to worry.
Despite repeated appeals many residents continued to visit petrol pumps fearing a bigger shortage. Bharat Petroleum pump owner and association president Sukhmohan Singh said there is no shortage of petrol or diesel and oil companies have enough supply and added that the current situation has been created due to panic buying and rumours including claims about a possible lockdown which are not true and according to him meetings have already been held in this regard and the situation is under control.
Authorities and the petrol pump association have urged people to stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush at fuel stations assuring that fuel supply in the city remains normal.