People wait in line with empty LPG cooking bottles amid a shortage linked to a disruption in LPG supplies due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia affecting the global energy supply chain in Bhopal. | Photo credit: PTI
Madhya Pradesh government minister Govind Singh Rajput on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) said there was no shortage of petrol and diesel in the state, a day after long queues were seen at petrol stations in various parts of the state, including Indore.
On Tuesday (March 24, 2026), several videos surfaced online showing long queues of vehicles in various districts such as Indore, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Shajapur and Jhabua, with local reports claiming that people had come to fill their fuel tanks fearing a shortage of petrol and diesel amid the ongoing war in West Asia.
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Mr Rajput, minister for food, civil supplies and consumer protection, said the queues and panic buying were the result of rumours, claiming petrol and diesel were available in “adequate quantities”.
“Instances of long queues forming at petrol pumps in certain districts of the state – caused by rumors circulating among the general public – and subsequent panic buying of petrol by consumers have been recorded,” Rajput said in a statement.
“There is absolutely no stock of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps, there is plenty of both petrol and diesel available. Moreover, stocks are continuously being dispatched from warehouses to petrol pumps. There is no need to be fooled by any rumours,” he said and asked people not to indulge in panic buying and hoarding.
Mr. Rajput said that the oil companies had informed the government of sufficient fuel reserves and that the situation was being monitored regularly.
“And currently there is no price increase for any fuel. The situation is closely monitored by constant supervision by the state dispatch and administration,” he added.
The Congress, however, hit out at the BJP government, alleging that it was misleading the public.
“Confidence queues at petrol pumps in Indore! Mohan and Modi govt are lost in their obsession and public is being tortured!” Congress said in X’s post about sharing videos from the front lines.
State Congress president Jitu Patwari said, “In four days petrol pumps will start closing and there will be convoys. Even then (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji and his party will say there is no shortage of petrol and diesel.”
Published – 26 March 2026 05:15 IST
