Severe Fuel Crisis Hits Odisha, Public Transport Disrupted

Petrol and Diesel Shortage Reported Across Major Cities

A severe fuel crisis has emerged across Odisha, with reports of petrol and diesel shortages at several fuel stations. Long queues were seen at petrol pumps, while many consumers returned empty-handed due to unavailability of fuel.

The situation has been reported from major cities including Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, Balasore, Baripada, and Balangir, where fuel supply disruptions have led to panic among the public.

Public Transport Severely Affected

The fuel shortage has significantly impacted private bus operations across the state. According to the Private Bus Owners Association, nearly 2,000 out of 14,000 buses have already stopped operating due to the crisis.

Association secretary Debendra Sahu warned that if the situation continues, all bus services in the state could come to a halt within the next 5–6 days. He urged the government to take immediate action and ensure dedicated fuel supply for public transport vehicles to avoid a complete breakdown of mobility.

Bus Operators Demand Priority Fuel Supply

Bus operators have appealed to the government to implement a special mechanism for ensuring fuel availability for public transport vehicles at petrol pumps. They warned that continued shortages could lead to a complete halt of passenger transport services, severely affecting daily commuters across rural and urban areas.

Transport Minister Responds to Crisis

Reacting to the situation, Transport Minister stated that the fuel shortage is linked to global conditions arising from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He said that the situation is not man-made or government-created but a result of international pressure affecting fuel supply chains.

He appealed to the public to cooperate with the government and support the Prime Minister’s call for collective responsibility during the crisis. The minister also urged stakeholders not to use harsh criticism and to work together to manage the situation.

Rising Concern Over Possible Transport Shutdown

With worsening fuel availability and increasing demand, concerns are growing over a possible statewide transport shutdown. Authorities are being urged to take immediate corrective measures to stabilize fuel distribution and prevent further disruption to essential services.