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The alleged curtailment of fuel distribution by some oil marketing companies in the wake of the latest price hike has raised concerns among petrol pump owners in northern Kerala districts, with many dealers warning that continued disruption could force them to temporarily suspend operations.
Operators in Kozhikode, Wayanad and Malappuram districts said many outlets are facing unforeseen fuel supply disruptions, leading to uncertainty about regular operations. Some vendors in Kozhikode claimed that the supply restrictions were imposed soon after the news of the fuel price hike.
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According to the vendors, the fuel companies were delaying deliveries even though deposits were paid for the required supplies. “They are citing various technical reasons and problems with the refineries to delay the supply. We are going through an unpredictable business situation,” said a pump owner in Kozhikode city.
He also alleged that several local oil traders, mainly dependent on the HPCL depot at Elathur, were affected by the order. Several gas stations have already been forced to temporarily shut down due to a lack of supplies, he said.
Hameem Parayangatt, an oil bunker owner in Malappuram district, said the dwindling stock position could eventually affect vehicular movement besides disrupting various essential services. “Oil traders are deeply concerned by the unexpected development. We are now forced to reduce existing stocks for emergency requirements,” he said.
Libineesh Kunnath, district secretary of the Kozhikode District Petroleum Dealers Association, claimed that the state has witnessed clear cases of hoarding and black marketing by some oil companies.
“The situation is likely to worsen in the coming days as fuel prices are expected to rise further under the prevailing circumstances. We have already discussed the issue with oil company representatives and sought immediate remedial measures,” he said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in other sectors have also expressed concerns about the potential impact of fuel shortages and rising prices. An official of the Quarry Owners Association said the price hike and delayed refueling will eventually affect the distribution of construction materials and halt several ongoing development projects. According to him, it could also lead to an increase in the prices of mining materials.
Taxi operators in Kozhikode city also said they may be forced to collect additional charges from passengers. Drivers of small vehicles, including autorickshaws and emergency vehicles, said waiting for a formal government order to revise fares would not be practical under the prevailing circumstances, as many make a living on day-to-day operations.
Meanwhile, representatives of some oil companies including HPCL said the current situation is a result of various regulations brought about by the war and oil companies have limited roles in taking independent decisions. They also claimed that there were no attempts to curtail supply, as claimed by sellers, due to the price hike.
Published – 15 May 2026 11:38 IST
