Bhubaneswar, May 16: Panic buying continued to grip Odisha as long queues of vehicles were seen outside petrol pumps even on Saturday morning. Despite expectations that the rush would ease overnight and fuel supply would return to normal, motorists continued to crowd fuel stations across several parts of the state.

Cars and two-wheelers were lined up both inside petrol pumps and along adjoining roads since early morning. Many customers reportedly waited throughout the night fearing fuel stocks might run out before their turn arrived. Even before sunrise, people gathered outside pumps to secure petrol and diesel amid uncertainty over supply.

The situation at several places turned difficult to manage as anxious consumers refused to leave the queues over fears that fuel would soon be exhausted.

Meanwhile, the state Supply Department and oil companies dismissed reports of any fuel shortage and blamed panic buying for the prevailing situation. Supply Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said Odisha currently has sufficient petrol and diesel stock for the next 13 days and is also supplying fuel to neighbouring states.

“There is no fuel shortage in Odisha. People should not panic,” the minister said.

IOCL Chief General Manager Kamal Sil also clarified that the situation cannot be termed a fuel crisis. According to him, the unusual rush at petrol pumps was triggered by unnecessary panic among consumers.