Panic gripped parts of the taluk on Wednesday night after rumours spread that petrol would not be available for a week, prompting people to gather at a fuel station near Chikkajogihalli.
Following social media posts showing long queues at petrol pumps in some parts of the state and country, residents rushed to the station around 8:30 pm to fill their two-wheelers, fearing a shortage in the coming days. Several people were also seen storing petrol in cans. Employees and delivery workers queued up to refuel before heading to work the next morning.
“We received messages on our phones saying petrol won’t be available from tomorrow. We have already filled 10 litres,” said Sandeep, Autoraj, and Lokesh from Kadekolla village.
No shortage, says District Magistrate: District Magistrate Kavita S. Mannikeri clarified that there is no shortage of fuel in the district and urged the public not to believe or spread rumours.
She stated that petrol and diesel supplies are adequate and distribution systems are functioning normally. Warning against misinformation, she said strict action would be taken against those spreading false rumours.
Hoarding fuel on claims of shortage is illegal, she added, and violators will face action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the Petroleum Act, 1934, and the Petroleum Rules, 2002. Citizens have been urged to remain calm and report any irregularities to the police by dialling 112.