Amid panic buying, Telangana govt taps Instagram, X to debunk fuel shortage rumours

As crowds continue to swell at petrol pumps across Hyderabad, the Telangana government has stepped in to counter panic buying, using social media platforms such as Instagram and X to reassure the public about fuel availability.

On Thursday (March 26, 2026) morning, the State’s Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department released a series of videos featuring petrol pump dealers from different parts of the city, appealing to citizens not to rush to fuel stations based on rumours circulating online.

In one such video, Srinivas Reddy, a dealer with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) operating a fuel station along the National Highway (NH)-44 Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway, dismissed concerns about fuel shortages. He stated that panic was triggered by misleading posts on the internet claiming depletion of fuel stocks. “That is not the situation. There is no need to panic. We have been receiving regular supplies from BPCL’s Cherlapally plant and continue to do so. There is no issue with the stocks,” he said.

Another dealer, Narahari Rao, who runs a BPCL outlet at Sainikpuri crossroads, echoed similar sentiments. “Uninterrupted supplies of petrol and diesel are being maintained and we urge people not to believe rumours that are leading to unnecessary crowding at pumps,” he said, while appealing to the public to remain patient and refuel as they would on any normal day.

Noor Ali Mohsin, another BPCL dealer from Hyderabad, also reassured customers about steady fuel availability. He cautioned against the spread of false information and urged citizens to avoid panic-driven behaviour. “Petrol and diesel will be available as usual. Please do not create unnecessary panic by believing rumours. Fill only as much fuel as you require,” he said.