‘Sudden’ payment mode shift sparks fuel panic, long queues in Gujarat

A sudden shift in payment modes at select fuel stations triggered panic buying and long queues across parts of Gujarat on Monday, even as authorities clarified that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state.Scenes of heavy rush were reported from major cities including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot and Surat, where several fuel stations witnessed long queues after rumours of a supply crunch spread amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.The situation was further aggravated after a few petrol pumps reportedly ran out of fuel temporarily, prompting anxious motorists to rush for refills.
The state government moved quickly to dispel concerns, assuring citizens that fuel supplies remain adequate. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said there is sufficient stock of petrol and diesel and urged people not to panic or hoard fuel.“There is no shortage of fuel in the state. Citizens should not believe or spread rumours,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has been regularly reviewing the situation to ensure uninterrupted supply.

VIDEO | Gandhinagar: Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi addressed the petrol and diesel situation, urging citizens not to spread or believe rumours circulating on social media. He assured that there is adequate fuel supply across the state and that continuous monitoring is… pic.twitter.com/D9Hp1eLBLk

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 23, 2026

In Surendranagar district, District Collector K. S. Yagnik also clarified that sufficient petrol and diesel are available across the district, with no shortage reported at any fuel station. She urged citizens to avoid panic, refrain from spreading rumours, and not crowd petrol pumps unnecessarily, while advising against collecting fuel in open containers and calling for public cooperation to maintain normalcy.

VIDEO | Gujarat: Surendranagar District Collector K. S. Yagnik has clarified that sufficient petrol and diesel are available across the district, with no shortage at any fuel station, urging citizens to avoid panic, stay away from rumours, and not crowd petrol pumps… pic.twitter.com/GBzcUQ4SIv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2026

Officials said continuous monitoring is underway to ensure all fuel stations receive timely supplies, and any technical or logistical issues are being addressed promptly. Authorities also warned of action against those spreading misinformation regarding fuel availability.In a separate statement, Additional Chief Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Mona Khandhar, reiterated that there is no need for panic buying, stressing that adequate fuel stocks are available across the state.

(State Correspondent)