Tirupati: Contrary to repeated assurances from district authorities that there is no fuel shortage, large parts of Tirupati continued to face dry petrol bunks and long queues on Monday, disrupting daily life and travel across the city.
Several fuel stations remained shut with 'no stock' boards, while the few outlets with fuel available witnessed heavy rush through the day. Long lines of autos, taxis and private vehicles were seen at these bunks, with commuters spending considerable time waiting to refuel. Residents said the situation showed little sign of improvement, forcing them to alter daily routines.
Transport operators indicated that the ongoing shortage was affecting their operations, as hours spent at fuel stations translated into lost working time and income. The situation also compounded the difficulties of pilgrims returning from Tirumala, many of whom expected better availability in Tirupati but encountered similar conditions on arrival.
In contrast, the situation at Tirumala appeared relatively better compared to the previous day. Both fuel stations on the hill received fresh supplies and maintained a steady flow. However, queues persisted as pilgrims, wary of fuel availability along the ghat road, chose to refill their tanks before descending.
The continued rush at Tirumala was largely driven by precaution, with many opting for full refuelling to avoid inconvenience during the downhill journey. This sustained demand kept queues long despite the restoration of supplies.
Officials, however, maintained that there was no actual shortage of fuel in the district. Tirupati Joint Collector R Govinda Rao reiterated that adequate stocks were available and attributed the long queues to panic buying and misinformation circulating on social media. District Collector Dr S Venkateswar and Superintendent of Police L Subba Rayudu, who inspected a petrol bunk on Sunday night, urged public not to believe what they termed as false propaganda.
They also warned of strict action against those involved in black marketing or spreading rumours about fuel scarcity. According to officials, the state government has ensured sufficient reserves of petrol and diesel to meet daily requirements.
Despite these claims, the ground situation continued to reflect significant stress on fuel availability, with uneven supply and persistent queues across Tirupati. Public frustration has been mounting, with many blaming the government for not responding in time to the emerging crisis. There is a growing perception that delayed intervention has allowed the situation to worsen, and concerns remain that it may take a few more days for normalcy to return.