Srinagar, Apr 21: Amid heavy rains lashing Jammu and Kashmir, petrol pumps across Srinagar are witnessing an unprecedented rush, with long queues of vehicles and people lining up to stock up on fuel. The panic buying comes amid fears of a potential fuel shortage following the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to multiple landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones triggered by the relentless downpour.
Over the past 48 hours, the Kashmir Valley has experienced widespread rainfall and fresh snowfall in higher reaches, leading to the shutdown of several vital road links, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway — a key route for supplies. With the rains showing no signs of abating, concerns over supply disruptions have grown, prompting residents to rush to petrol stations in large numbers.
At many pumps, people were seen not just refueling their vehicles but also filling jerry cans, bottles, and other containers in an attempt to stockpile petrol and diesel. This surge in demand has led to traffic snarls around fuel stations, with long lines of vehicles stretching into roads and intersections.
“I went to the petrol pump late last night but couldn’t wait because of the long queue. I returned this morning only to find the line even longer,” said Rihan Khan, a resident of Baghat.
Similar scenes were reported from various parts of the city, with many residents expressing frustration over long waits and the scramble to secure fuel.
Aijaz Ahmed from Ellahi Bagh shared, “It’s complete chaos. After visiting several pumps, I finally got petrol after waiting for around 20 minutes.”
Another resident, Shoib Misger, who had already spent more than 30 minutes waiting in line, added, “Everyone is panic-stricken. No one wants to be caught off guard if the supply gets disrupted.”
Petrol pump attendants reported a sharp increase in demand. “Customers who usually buy petrol worth Rs 500 are now filling up for Rs 2,000. This kind of hoarding creates unnecessary pressure on available stocks,” said Rafiq, an attendant at a Lal Chowk station.
Another attendant, Aqib Rather, who works at a fuel station in Nowgam, echoed similar concerns: “People are not just filling their tanks but are taking extra precautions by carrying large containers. It’s creating a lot of pressure on the supply we have.”
Zubair Bhat, an attendant at a petrol pump in the Batamaloo area, pointed out, “Some customers are even arguing with us, demanding that we prioritize them. The sheer volume of demand is overwhelming.”
Despite the growing concerns, authorities have reassured the public that there is no fuel shortage. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Monday urged residents to stay calm and assured that the region’s fuel supply remains stable.
“There is no need to panic or line up unnecessarily at fuel stations. The supply is sufficient, and the situation is well under control,” Bidhuri said, urging people not to hoard or spread fear.
