Ahmedabad Petrol Panic: Fake News Triggers Fuel Rush

The Ahmedabad petrol panic unfolded on March 23, 2026, after rumours of a fuel shortage spread rapidly on social media, triggering a massive rush at petrol pumps across the city.

Thousands of people rushed to refuel their vehicles, fearing that petrol pumps might stop operations by evening. The sudden surge led to long queues, traffic congestion, and confusion in multiple areas.

Long Queues and Traffic Disruptions Across City

Several parts of Ahmedabad witnessed heavy crowds at fuel stations, with queues stretching up to a kilometre in some areas.

Motorists waited for long hours, and vehicles spilled onto main roads, causing traffic jams and delays. Areas like Sarkhej, Vejalpur, Satellite, and Narol were among the worst affected.

The situation quickly escalated as more people joined the queues after seeing crowds, further intensifying the panic.

Rumours Trigger Panic Buying

The chaos was primarily driven by unverified messages claiming that petrol pumps would stop operations or that fuel supply would run out.

These rumours spread quickly across platforms like WhatsApp and social media, leading to panic buying not just in Ahmedabad but also in other Gujarat cities like Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot.

Reports suggest that demand surged significantly as people rushed to stock fuel, even when there was no actual shortage.

Authorities Clarify: No Fuel Shortage

Government officials and oil companies quickly stepped in to control the situation, assuring the public that fuel supply was normal.

Authorities confirmed:

• Adequate stock of petrol and diesel
• No disruption in supply chain
• No need for panic buying

Citizens were urged to ignore rumours and avoid hoarding fuel.

Police Deployed to Manage Situation

To control crowds and prevent any law-and-order issues, police teams were deployed at petrol pumps across the city.

Officials monitored the situation closely and appealed to people to remain calm. The situation was eventually brought under control, though heightened monitoring continued.

Impact of Misinformation on Public Behaviour

The Ahmedabad petrol panic highlights how quickly misinformation can trigger large-scale public reactions.

Key impacts included:

• Sudden spike in fuel demand
• Traffic congestion across major roads
• Temporary fuel shortages at some outlets due to over-demand

Experts note that such incidents underline the importance of verifying information before reacting.

Situation Now Under Control

Authorities have confirmed that the situation is stabilising and fuel supply remains unaffected.

The government has also warned of strict action against those spreading false information, emphasising the need for responsible use of social media.