Epaper
Fuel, on paper, is in ample supply. On the ground, it’s a different story.
Across Andhra Pradesh, motorists have been spending more time in queues than on roads, even as officials insist there is no shortage.
Dispatch numbers appear strong and explanations sound convincing, yet “no stock” boards at fuel stations tell a different tale.
In cities like Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, long queues have become the norm, testing both fuel levels and public patience.
Many motorists are forced to hop from one petrol bunk to another, only to realise that availability depends more on timing than actual supply.
Adding to the confusion, the Centre has reportedly asked the state to roll back its move to route bulk diesel supplies meant for Amaravati works through retail outlets — a decision that raised eyebrows, especially when pumps were already struggling to meet demand.
The result is a familiar paradox: supply is said to be normal, but queues refuse to disappear. For many, the real shortage seems less about fuel and more about clarity.
