Hyderabad: Fuel supplies improved, crisis stabilising slowly, says Civil Supplies officials

The fuel crisis in Hyderabad is easing, with queues at most stations thinning. Out of 185 outlets, 165 have stabilised, and normalcy is expected by March 30. Authorities monitor distribution, while the Legal Metrology Department checks for under-filling and tampering.

Hyderabad: With panic buying showing signs of abating, the fuel crisis in Hyderabad appears to be on the wane, and the long and serpentine queues at fuel stations are thinning on Friday.

The civil supply department officials said the situation eased after steps were taken to restore distribution and manage the demand across the city. Hyderabad Chief Rationing Officer, M Raji Reddy, said efforts were continuing to ensure steady availability and prevent further disruption. According to the oil companies’ feedback, from around 12,000 kilolitres (KL), the sale of fuel following the panic buying zoomed to 25,000 KL, he said.

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Out of 185 fuel outlets in the city, the situation has stabilised at 165 outlets, and by March 30, all the petrol and diesel outlets in Hyderabad are expected to reach normalcy. The Chief Rationing Officer said consumers in some areas filled plastic cans and plastic drums, which resulted in outlets drying up quickly, leading to a shutdown.

The Civil Supplies Department, in coordination with the Hyderabad district administration, monitored the fuel crisis at 185 petrol outlets from day one, deploying special officials from the civil supplies, revenue, and police departments to control the rush, he said.

Meanwhile, consumers raised concerns over some fuel outlets under-filling the fuel during the crisis and sought the Legal Metrology Department to monitor the possibilities of tampering with fuel dispensing units, under-filling, and checking nozzles that delivered less fuel than displayed.

Assistant Controller of the Legal Metrology Department, Hyderabad, Shivanand, said the officials were regularly checking the fuel outlets across Hyderabad City and collecting samples. “If a consumer complains to the department along with evidence, then the raids will be conducted on the outlet concerned and cases booked”, the department officials said.