Dealers Cite Stricter Payment Norms, Reduced Depot Operations

Although there is no official fuel shortage, dealers said tighter controls at supply points are disrupting the regular flow of fuel to retail outlets.

Warehouses have introduced stricter payment terms and limits on allocated quotas, sources said. A filling station in Tadipatri was reportedly denied supply after its monthly quota was met. Dealers said that advance payments are now being insisted on, and successive public holidays are causing further delays in transactions.

Warehouses have reduced shipping volumes, shortened operating hours and tightened credit availability, affecting tanker movement, industry sources said.

Gas station operators said tanker loading schedules were curtailed and credit support restricted, slowing turnaround time and leading to temporary shortages, especially in rural areas.

They said the situation had triggered panic buying in some places and put pressure on existing stocks.