Lucknow: Panic gripped the state capital on Thursday as viral social-media rumours about a fuel shortage triggered long queues at petrol pumps across the city, choking key stretches like Manoj Pandey Chauraha, La Martiniere College Road and Hazratganj.“I heard from a friend that petrol was running out, and then I got messages on WhatsApp warning of a shortage. That is why I rushed to fill my car,” said Shreena Singh of Gomti Nagar. While standing at Hazratganj petrol pump, Vaishnavi Kesarwani, said her friends shared the messages about shortage. “I did not want to take a chance, so I joined the long queues at the petrol pump,” she said. Ahmer Khan, a govt employee at Hazratganj, was stuck in line for nearly an hour despite not needing fuel, but the congestion at petrol pump blocked his path. Sanjay Yadav, a private firm employee, struggled to push his two-wheeler through the crowded lines as people jostled to cut ahead. Manish Verma, a govt employee along with his son brought both his cars to get fuel but found themselves caught in long queues. General secretary of the Lucknow Petrol Dealers Association, Alok Trivedi, said the sudden surge in demand had temporarily emptied the tanks, but petrol and diesel were refilled shortly after the chaos. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal said there was no shortage of fuel in the city and appealed to citizens not to be influenced by online rumours, warning that panic buying may lead to artificial crisis and disrupt essential services. District magistrate, Vishakh G, said: “There is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the city. Supplies are being ensured in coordination with IOCL, and no limits have been imposed at petrol pumps. Fuel is being made available for everyone.”
