**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas issued this report on May 21, 2026, to reassure the public that Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies in Maharashtra despite a significant surge in demand. This spike, driven by seasonal agricultural activity and price-sensitive consumer migration, saw petrol and diesel sales growth exceed 20% in the first half of May. Consumers are advised to maintain normal purchasing behavior and avoid panic buying while OMCs continue 24/7 operations to meet requirements.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Drivers of Increased Demand**
* Significant offtake of petroleum products due to seasonal agricultural activities in various districts.
* Migration of retail customers to PSU outlets due to lower fuel prices compared to other suppliers.
* A visible shift of commercial and institutional consumers toward retail fuel outlets.
* **Supply and Sales Data (May 2026)**
* During the first fortnight, Diesel sales grew by 19.66% and Petrol sales by 20.39%.
* Total supplies reached 502 TKL of Diesel and 267 TKL of Petrol across Maharashtra in the first two weeks.
* Peak growth was recorded between May 18–20, with Diesel demand surging up to 49% and Petrol up to 34%.
* **Operational Measures and Logistics**
* OMCs (IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL) are operating supply teams, transport networks, and terminals 24/7.
* Uninterrupted supply is being maintained through an extensive network of pipelines, depots, and LPG bottling plants.
* Continuous coordination is being held with the State Administration to ensure seamless product movement and replenishment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL)**
**Impact**
These companies are facing a sharp surge in demand at retail outlets, requiring intensified logistics coordination and 24/7 operations.
**Action Required**
Continue reviewing stock positions, maintain 24/7 terminal operations, and coordinate closely with state authorities for distribution planning.
**Consumers (Citizens, Institutional, and Commercial)**
**Impact**
Consumers are experiencing high demand levels but remain supported by adequate stocks of Petrol, Diesel, and LPG.
**Action Required**
Maintain normal purchasing behavior, avoid unnecessary panic buying, and rely strictly on official communications from authorized agencies for fuel availability updates.
**State Administration**
**Impact**
The administration is required to play a supportive role in overseeing the smooth movement of essential fuel supplies.
**Action Required**
Maintain close coordination with OMCs to facilitate seamless logistics and ensure product movement remains uninterrupted.
Key Entities Referenced
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs): Comprising Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, these entities manage fuel logistics and ensure uninterrupted supply of Petrol, Diesel, and LPG.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: The central government ministry overseeing the operations and supply stability of the oil and gas sector in India.
Maharashtra: The primary state experiencing a surge in fuel demand due to agricultural activity and price-driven migration of consumers to public sector retail outlets.
State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry) Maharashtra: The office responsible for monitoring fuel offtake, coordinating between OMCs, and providing data on demand trends within the state.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies ensure
uninterrupted fuel supplies amid demand surge
in Maharashtra
OMCs appeal to consumers to continue normal purchasing
behaviour and avoid unnecessary panic buying
Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 5:49PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 21 May 2026
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum
Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited — continue operations and
logistics coordination across the country to ensure uninterrupted availability of Petrol (MS),
Diesel (HSD) and LPG amid a sudden and sharp increase in fuel demand in several regions.
As per State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry) Maharashtra, Shri Mihir Ganesh Joshi, in recent
days, OMCs have witnessed significantly higher offtake of petroleum products, driven by
seasonal agricultural activity across multiple districts. Additional demand pressure has also
emerged due to migration of retail customers to Public Sector Retail Outlets because of lower
prices compared to other suppliers, as well as a visible shift of institutional and commercial
consumers to retail fuel outlets. This has resulted in all three PSU OMCs witnessing a sharp
surge in the demand for Diesel and Petrol at their retail outlets across Maharashtra. The
increased demand for Petrol and Diesel has been fully met by the three PSU Oil Companies.
During the first fortnight of May 2026, a growth of 19.66% was recorded in Diesel sales and
20.39% in Petrol sales. A total of 267 TKL of Petrol and 502 TKL of Diesel were supplied across
Maharashtra during the first fortnight of May 2026. The high growth trend has continued in the
third week of May 2026 as well, with Petrol growth recorded at 34%, 21% and 18% on 18th,
19th and 20th May respectively, while Diesel growth during the same period stood at 49%, 42%
and 40%.
Despite this spike in demand, supplies have remained uninterrupted and all requirements have
been fully met. Public Sector OMCs continue to maintain uninterrupted supplies through their
extensive nationwide network of terminals, depots, pipelines, LPG bottling plants and retail
outlets. Supply teams, transport networks, terminal operations and select retail outlets are
functioning 24x7 to ensure seamless product movement and timely replenishment across
markets. Public Sector OMCs are also maintaining close coordination with the State
Administration for seamless fuel supplies.
The Oil Industry reassure consumers that adequate stocks of Petrol, Diesel and LPG are
available across the State of Maharashtra and all necessary measures are being taken to
maintain smooth and uninterrupted supplies.Public Sector OMCs are continuously reviewing stock positions and closely coordinating logistics
and distribution planning to efficiently meet the enhanced demands. Citizens are advised to
continue with normal purchasing behaviour and avoid unnecessary panic buying. Consumers are
also requested to rely only on official communications issued by authorised agencies and Oil
Marketing Companies for accurate information related to fuel availability.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Jaydevi Pujari Swami / Edgar Coelh/ Darshana Rane
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