Indian Oil says ample fuel stock, urges consumers not to panic buy

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State-run Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) said on May 9 it has ample stock of fuel and urged consumers not to resort to panic buying, as India and Pakistan conflict takes a fiery turn.

The oil marketing company, which has the highest number of fuel outlets in the country, assured of ample stocks and smooth supply lines.

“There is no need for panic buying—fuel and LPG is readily available at all our outlets. Help us serve you better by staying calm and avoiding unnecessary rush. This will keep our supply lines running seamlessly and ensure uninterrupted fuel access for all,” Indian Oil in a post on X.

The statement come as there have been reports of people rushing to stock up essentials in some parts of the country, worried about an all-out war. Queues were also seen at some petrol pumps in Punjab, which has come under heavy fire from across the border.

On May 8 night, India repulsed waves of  Pakistani missiles and drone attacks aimed at its norther and western border areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan. Indian aerial defence systems also thwarted attempts to hit military bases in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and other locations.

A day earlier, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours , hitting nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir two weeks after 26 people were killed in a terror strike in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. Two of the terrorists were Pakistani citizens.

The government’s special purpose vehicle Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL), responsible for ensuring crude reserves for energy security, also maintains reserves with 5.33 million metric tonnes (mmt) capacity at three locations which can be used in emergencies particularly from serious disruptions in global crude oil supply chain.

ISRPL has crude oil storages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Mangalore and Padur (near Udupi) in Karnataka.