Rumour on scarcity of fuel makes citizens go haywire

The two-wheeler and car owners on Thursday had no option but to wait in serpentine queue outside the petrol pumps, owing to the ‘artificial scarcity’ of fuel that had crept in the City.

The long line of queue was seen at almost every pump right from morning itself. At many pumps the crowd went out of control and police had to come into picture to manage the crowd.

Following a rumour that there will be shortage of fuel in the City, bikers and car owners thronged to the pumps in large number with bottles, cans and containers. At many places minor altercation over ‘I came first….so I should get petrol sooner then the rest’ was heard. Amidst all this, the petrol pump workers were seen attending all the vehicles patiently. Many people, waiting in the queue, played good samaritans by calling up their friends, near and dear ones asking them to go to the nearest pump and fill fuel.

“I do not know what exactly the issue is. Someone told me there is some shortage in fuel supply. When I came to the city I thought the news must be correct because there was huge crowd outside the pump right in the morning. I too did not waste anytime and plunged into the queue,” said Shekar, a biker.

On the other hand Dasegowda, another biker said that he was standing in queue because someone informed him that the petrol costs will be hiked and further that there will be no supply of fuel for four days.

“Supposedly, there is a stir going on and hence there will be no supply of fuel. I have got fuel for two to three days,” said Ashok.However, the pump owners are enjoying the mad rush and are making hay when the sun shines.

“There is absolutely no problem as of now. There is adequate supply of fuel in the city,” said Usha Service Station Proprietor Anil adding there across the city there is adequate stock of fuel.