Iran–Israel War Sparks Panic Buying of Fuel at Petrol Pumps in Punjab

The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has not directly affected India so far, but it has sparked concerns among people about a possible fuel shortage in the coming weeks. As a result, petrol pumps across parts of Punjab have witnessed a noticeable increase in fuel purchases, particularly in rural areas. With the wheat harvesting season approaching and the paddy sowing period expected to begin soon, many farmers are reportedly buying larger quantities of fuel for storage. The uncertainty caused by the ongoing conflict has created fears that oil supplies may be disrupted, prompting precautionary purchases. Confirming the development, Ashok Sachdeva, chairman of the Petrol Dealers Association Punjab, said panic buying has increased significantly in rural regions. He explained that the approaching harvesting season and the upcoming paddy cultivation require large amounts of fuel for agricultural machinery. According to him, farmers are concerned that the continuing war between Iran and Israel could lead to fuel shortages in the weeks ahead. To avoid potential inconvenience, many farmers have begun storing fuel in advance. Sachdeva further stated that petrol pumps in rural areas have reported a sharp increase in sales over the past few days. In some locations, fuel sales have risen by nearly 30 to 40 percent due to the sudden surge in demand. Farmer leader Tarsem Jodhan of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha also acknowledged the trend. He said that during uncertain situations, panic buying often increases as people try to secure essential supplies in advance.