Crowds surge at fuel pumps across major cities:Petrol sales jump 25% in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain; long LPG queues

Amid reports of rising tensions involving United States, Israel, and Iran, crowds at fuel stations across Madhya Pradesh have surged over the past three days. In several cities, people have been lining up with their vehicles as early as 5 AM, with pressure on petrol pumps continuing late into the night. However, the state government and local administration have clarified that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel, and sufficient stock is available. Fuel consumption rises despite normal supply According to Ajay Singh, President of the Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Owners Association, fuel consumption has increased sharply due to rumours. In Bhopal, Indore, and Ujjain, while crowds are relatively controlled, fuel sales have gone up by nearly 25%. Many consumers are purchasing more fuel than required, creating unnecessary pressure on supply systems. Authorities assure adequate stock and monitoring Bhopal Food Controller Chandrabhan Singh Jadaun stated that supply remains normal across the city’s 192 petrol pumps. Teams from the food department are continuously monitoring the situation, ensuring immediate replenishment wherever needed. Fuel depots in Indore and Ujjain also have sufficient stock, with regular supply being maintained through tankers. See pictures Long queues for LPG cylinders Apart from petrol and diesel, long queues are also being seen for domestic LPG cylinders in several cities. Delivery delays of 6 to 8 days after booking have further increased public concern. Adequate stock at depots, teams deployed In Indore, administrative teams have been deployed to oversee supply. Fuel is being dispatched from depots located in Manglia, operated by major oil companies like Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, and Indian Oil Corporation. Officials maintain that depots have sufficient reserves of petrol and diesel, and regular supply to pumps is ongoing. Smaller districts hit harder by rumours The impact of rumours appears to be stronger in smaller districts, where farmers are purchasing diesel in bulk for harvesting needs. In Rewa, authorities issued a clarification denying any shortage and warned of action against those spreading misinformation. Meanwhile, in Raisen, limits have been imposed on fuel sales due to rising demand. Petrol consumption has nearly doubled, with diesel demand also increasing rapidly. In Damoh, crowds continue at petrol pumps as people rush to fill their tanks. Pump operators say stock is sufficient, but rumours are creating avoidable pressure. Government appeals for calm The administration has urged citizens not to panic, reiterating that fuel supplies are stable across the state and there is no need for hoarding.