Mumbai, May 30: In response to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affecting global supply chains, the Indian government, along with the Maharashtra government and public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as BPCL, IOCL, and HPCL, has assured citizens that there is a sufficient stock of petrol, diesel, and LPG available across the state, ensuring stable supply.
Mihir Ganesh Joshi, the state-level coordinator for the oil industry, stated in a press release that despite a significant surge in fuel demand due to panic buying amid fears of rising fuel prices and increased agricultural activities, public sector oil companies have maintained uninterrupted supply across several districts.
From May 1 to May 21, 2026, public sector oil companies supplied 402 kiloliters of petrol and 789 kiloliters of diesel throughout Maharashtra. To meet the sudden spike in demand from May 22 to May 28, an additional 284 kiloliters of diesel was supplied.
Overall, from May 1 to May 28, 2026, public sector oil companies supplied 527 kiloliters of petrol and 1,073 kiloliters of diesel, ensuring the continuous availability of petroleum products. Due to price discrepancies, there has also been a noticeable shift of customers from private fuel retailers to public sector retail outlets, adding further pressure on demand.
According to the press release, petrol demand rose by 18.54% and diesel demand by 22.30% during the period from May 1 to May 21. Between May 22 and May 28, petrol demand increased by 13.23%, while diesel demand surged by a record 43.37%. For the entire period from May 1 to May 28, petrol demand grew by 17.24% and diesel by 27.25%.
The release emphasized that despite the increase in demand, public sector enterprises (OMCs) have successfully maintained uninterrupted fuel supply throughout Maharashtra, with all retail outlets operating efficiently except for sporadic imbalances in demand and supply in some interior areas.
To curb black marketing and hoarding, district collectors have been instructed to conduct inspection and enforcement campaigns under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955. So far, 332 raids have been conducted, resulting in nine FIRs, 15 arrests, and the seizure of 75,595 liters of illegal diesel and 197 liters of petrol.
Citizens are urged not to panic buy or hoard fuel. The release reiterated that the Indian government, the Maharashtra government, and public sector oil and gas enterprises (OMCs) are fully committed to ensuring smooth and uninterrupted fuel supply across the state.
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