By The News Observer Desk,
Bhatkal: Anxiety over a possible fuel shortage has sparked panic buying across parts of Uttara Kannada district, with long queues of vehicles seen outside petrol pumps in several towns on Wednesday.
The sudden rush follows growing tensions in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, United States, and Israel. Rumours that the war could disrupt global oil supplies — and lead to a spike in petrol and diesel prices in India — spread quickly, prompting residents to act in haste.
By morning, two-wheelers, cars and even goods vehicles were lined up outside fuel stations in Bhatkal and neighbouring areas. Many people were not just filling their vehicle tanks but were also seen carrying petrol and diesel in cans and plastic bottles, fearing supplies might dry up in the coming days.
The rush led to temporary confusion at a few outlets as pump staff struggled to manage the unexpected crowd. Some motorists said they did not want to take chances. “We don’t know how the situation will unfold. It’s better to be prepared,” said a local resident waiting in line for over half an hour.
Just days ago, officials had reassured the public that there was adequate fuel stock available, including reserves at facilities such as the MRPL refinery in coastal Karnataka. They had clarified that there was no immediate cause for concern. However, as news of escalating hostilities in the Middle East intensified, public fears resurfaced.
Authorities have once again appealed to citizens not to believe or circulate rumours. They stressed that there is currently no official indication of a fuel shortage and urged people to rely only on verified information.
While the geopolitical tensions have indeed unsettled global oil markets, experts point out that India has systems in place to manage short-term disruptions. For now, officials maintain that supplies remain stable — and that panic buying only creates unnecessary pressure on the distribution network.
Despite the assurances, the sight of long vehicle queues outside petrol pumps reflects how quickly global events can trigger local anxiety.
Reporting by Shailesh Vaidya, Bhatkal
