Many petrol, diesel outlets across Kashmir facing fuel shortage

SRINAGAR — Many petrol and diesel stations across Kashmir are facing a fuel shortage as the oil companies had abruptly curtailed the quote being supplied to the outlets in the region, while the fuel refilling stations have rejected reports of fuel shortage and assured that there is no need to panic.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Iftikaar Pandith, owner of Hassan Motors, a well-known fuel station in north Kashmir’s Sopore town said that due to the non-functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the past few days, we were not able to do RTGS (payment system that allows the instant transfer of funds) and companies don’t allow credit. “It’s just because of that, otherwise we have adequate stock available.”

“If everything goes well with Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s fund transfer system tomorrow, the issues will be sorted out immediately,” Iftikaar added.

Similarly, Ishfaq Ahmed, a fuel station owner at Handwara, told KNS that although there is no fuel crisis but situation is getting panicky as rumours of fuel shortage are doing rounds. “People are buying fuel in a panic state and non-functioning of Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s fund transfer system has led to a crisis,” he said.

“People need not panic as we have an adequate supply of petrol and diesel. Once the fund transfer system is operational, the situation will get back to normal,” Ishfaq added.

Meanwhile, the oil companies including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), while rejecting the reports of the fuel crisis, said that they have adequate supply available and asked people not to panic.

“HPCL is meeting the ever-growing fuel demands of the country and assures & ensures availability of product across our supply chain. Our esteemed customers need not panic. We stand committed to uninterrupted supply of auto fuels in the markets, where we have our footprint,” Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) said in a tweet.

In another tweet, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) said, “We assure everyone that there is adequate product availability at all our fuel stations, across our network. Therefore, there is no need to panic. We put on record our commitment for uninterrupted supplies of petrol and diesel in all markets where we have our presence.”

Similarly, V Satish Kumar, Director (Marketing) of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), tweeted, “Dear customers, this is to assure that product availability at our retail outlets is absolutely normal. There is adequate product availability & supplies to all markets. We request you not to panic. Indian Oil is fully committed to serve at all times.”