Fuel Crisis: Panic Buying Worsens Situation in Jamshedpur, Massive Queues Trigger Traffic Chaos

Jamshedpur: The fuel crisis in Jamshedpur has taken a serious turn, with panic-stricken residents thronging petrol pumps across the city since early morning hours. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed from Kadma to Mango, while severe traffic congestion crippled movement in key commercial areas such as Bistupur, Sakchi, and Golmuri.

To manage the dwindling fuel stock, petrol pumps have started rationing fuel supply. Two-wheelers are being given petrol worth only ₹200, while four-wheelers are restricted to purchases of ₹500. The shortage in supply has intensified public anxiety, leading to unprecedented crowds outside fuel stations.

Queues Stretch onto Main Roads

The situation remained chaotic throughout the day in several parts of the city. At the Bharat Petroleum pump in Kadma, crowds surged to such an extent that police and administrative officials struggled to maintain order. Long lines of motorcycles, cars, and commercial vehicles spilled onto the roads, severely affecting traffic flow.

In Bistupur and Sakchi, the queues outside petrol pumps led to massive traffic snarls at major intersections. Commuters remained stranded for long periods as vehicles crawled through congested stretches. Similar scenes were reported from Mango, especially near the petrol pump close to the bridge, where traffic movement nearly came to a standstill.

 ‘No Stock’ Boards Spark Public Anger

In Golmuri, Sidgora, and Baridih, several petrol pumps reportedly displayed “No Stock” boards, triggering frustration and outrage among residents. Many commuters expressed concern over uncertainty regarding fuel availability in the coming days.

Several people queued up from as early as 5:00 AM in hopes of securing fuel before stocks ran dry. The growing uncertainty has also impacted office-goers, transport operators, and daily commuters across the city.

Panic Buying Worsens the Situation

The crisis has been aggravated by panic buying amid rumors of an indefinite disruption in supply. Besides filling vehicle tanks, many people attempted to purchase petrol in bottles, jars, and plastic cans for storage. However, pump operators refused to dispense fuel into containers, citing safety regulations and administrative directives.

This led to heated arguments and altercations at several locations. Despite repeated appeals by the district administration urging citizens not to panic, people continued rushing to petrol pumps fearing a complete shutdown of supply.

Rumors Add to Public Anxiety

Petrol pump operators stated that rumors circulating through social media and word-of-mouth significantly worsened the situation. They claimed that panic-driven purchasing created an artificial shortage, making crowd management increasingly difficult.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, while efforts are reportedly underway to restore normal fuel supply to the city at the earliest.