Chennai, March 12 (NationPress) M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has called on citizens to remain calm regarding the supply of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas, as fears rise due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He assured that India has ample fuel reserves to meet the current demand.

In his statement, Stalin noted that the Union government has confirmed that the country holds sufficient quantities of crude oil and related products, stressing that there is no need for panic purchasing.

The Chief Minister conveyed that the Tamil Nadu government will provide full assistance to the Centre in addressing any challenges presented by the international circumstances.

Despite these reassurances, petrol stations throughout Chennai and various other locations in the state have experienced an unexpected influx of customers since Wednesday afternoon.

Long lines were observed at numerous petrol stations, with some sites temporarily running out of fuel as worried drivers rushed to fill up.

Reports indicated that queues in Chennai included up to 40 cars, more than 150 two-wheelers, and around 20 to 30 autorickshaws.

This sudden surge in demand has been primarily linked to rumors regarding a possible disruption in fuel availability due to the West Asia conflict.

According to sources in the oil industry, fuel consumption in Tamil Nadu experienced a dramatic spike within just a day. Diesel sales increased by approximately 17 percent on Wednesday, while petrol sales saw a notable rise of 32 percent as consumers scrambled to stock up.

Industry experts, however, have reiterated that there is no fuel shortage in the nation.

Petroleum dealers stated that India currently maintains crude oil reserves adequate for about 74 days, thanks to a mix of underground storage facilities, refinery inventories, and incoming shipments at various ports. They also highlighted that the government has initiated efforts to diversify its procurement sources by securing crude supplies from nations unaffected by the ongoing conflict.

Fuel retailers have urged the public to refrain from panic buying and to continue purchasing fuel based on their regular needs. They cautioned that unnecessary accumulation could disrupt the standard supply chain and lead to artificial shortages at retail establishments.

Operators at petrol stations noted a sharp increase in customer traffic, particularly after some private outlets temporarily ceased operations during peak times, causing motorists to flock to state-run fuel stations.

Officials are optimistic that normal supply levels will persist as long as consumers avoid panic-driven purchases.