Lakhimpur Kheri

Rumours of a possible shortage of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) due to the ongoing West Asia conflict triggered panic among residents in several parts of Lakhimpur Kheri district on Friday, resulting in long queues at petrol pumps, officials said.

Large numbers of people were seen lining up at fuel stations in the Nighasan, Pallia and Bhira areas to purchase petrol and diesel amid fears that supplies could run out.

However, District Supply Officer Anjani Kumar Singh dismissed the claims as false, assuring that there was no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the district.

“The rumours regarding shortage of petroleum products in Kheri district are completely baseless. Adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG are available,” he said, urging residents to purchase fuel only as per their normal requirements.

Singh also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found hoarding petroleum products.

District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal also addressed the issue, appealing to the public not to panic and confirming that fuel supply in the district remained stable.

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Local trade bodies also reassured residents. Kheri Petroleum Traders Association district president Abhishek Dixit said petrol pumps had sufficient stock to meet demand, while Arun Kumar Singh, district president of the LPG distributors’ association, confirmed that LPG supplies in the district were adequate and urged people not to believe rumours.