A growing fuel shortage crisis has now reached Bhubaneswar, causing inconvenience to commuters and vehicle owners across the city. A Bharat Petroleum petrol pump located at Kalpana Square remained shut on Wednesday due to an unexpected shortage of fuel.
Several residents who arrived at the fuel station to refill their vehicles were left stranded after noticing a “No Diesel” signboard and suspension of fuel services.
Commuters Express Frustration
One commuter said he had visited the petrol pump multiple times but failed to get fuel.
“I had come to fill petrol in my vehicle, but they told us to come back in the evening. I’ve returned twice, but the petrol services are still shut, including diesel,” he said.
Another woman commuter expressed distress over the situation, saying her vehicle had almost run out of fuel.
“I had come here because my vehicle has no petrol, and now I can’t go anywhere. I am in a lot of distress as the pump is closed, and I had no other option but to leave without fuel,” she said.
Fuel Crisis Expands Across Odisha
The disruption in Bhubaneswar comes amid reports of fuel shortages from several other districts of Odisha, including Rourkela, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Sonepur.
In Birmaharajpur area of Sonepur district, residents and commuters have reportedly been facing difficulties due to the shortage of both petrol and diesel since May 8.
Sources said a petrol pump near Hilung village on the Amarpali road has remained closed for the past three days because of inadequate fuel supply, forcing customers to return without fuel.
Daily Commuters Worst Affected
The ongoing shortage has severely affected daily commuters, bike riders, transport operators and small vehicle owners who depend on regular fuel availability for travel and livelihood.
The situation has triggered concern among residents as uncertainty continues over the restoration of normal fuel supply across several parts of the state.
