Panic briefly gripped Chandigarh after a Sector 17 petrol pump posted fuel purchase limits amid supply concerns, but the administration quickly intervened, clarifying no official restrictions had been imposed.
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Panic briefly spread across Chandigarh on Monday after a petrol pump in Sector 17 displayed posters announcing limits on the sale of petrol and diesel amid reports of supply shortages. The notices stated that two-wheelers, including motorcycles and scooters, would be provided with fuel worth a maximum of Rs 500, while four-wheelers would be allowed fuel worth up to Rs 1,500 only.
The posters were put up at the HG Petro Care fuel station in Sector 17, triggering concern among residents over a possible fuel crisis in the city. Petrol pump employee Ujagar Singh said the decision was taken due to reduced fuel supply from distributors.
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Soon after the issue came to light, the Chandigarh administration intervened and had the posters removed. Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav clarified that no official order had been issued imposing any limit on the purchase of petrol or diesel in the city.
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Officials said Chandigarh has nearly 86 petrol pumps, but such notices had surfaced only at the Sector 17 outlet. Several pump operators, however, claimed that fuel demand had risen sharply in recent days while supply had not increased proportionately, leading to concerns about stock management.
Fuel prices in Chandigarh, along with Punjab and some other states, were revised upward on May 15, which has also contributed to increased consumer activity at petrol stations.
Employees at the Sector 17 fuel station said the decision was implemented from Monday morning to ensure that fuel remained available for a larger number of customers and to avoid inconvenience in case of shortages. They admitted, however, that no formal instructions had been issued by the administration regarding such restrictions.
Meanwhile, the manager of a petrol pump in Sector 10 said daily fuel consumption at the outlet had increased from around 22,000 litres to nearly 26,000 litres in recent days. He added that the station usually receives a supply of around 25,000 litres daily, but a scheduled delivery on Sunday did not arrive, causing temporary pressure on stocks. He said the situation had returned to normal on Monday.
Some consumers supported the move. A customer, Rajesh Sharma, said capping fuel purchase at Rs 1,500 for cars was a sensible decision, adding that limited fuel availability could encourage people to use vehicles more cautiously and avoid unnecessary travel.
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