HP: Restrictions on Fuel Supply; Pressure mounts at several pumps as availability becomes limited

April 24, 2026

Amidst the restrictions imposed on petrol and diesel supplies in Himachal Pradesh, pressure is mounting on numerous petrol pumps across the state. In particular, due to the limits placed on fuel supplies from Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, many petrol pump operators are being forced to manage operations with limited stock.

Only a fixed quota of fuel available 

According to reports, supplies from the Indian Oil Corporation currently remain normal, whereas dealers associated with other companies are being provided with only a fixed quota of fuel.

Furthermore, pressure has also begun to intensify at pumps operated by private sector companies such as Reliance Jio-BP and Nayara Energy. Transportation in Himachal is entirely dependent on petrol and diesel; consequently, limited supplies could evolve into a major crisis in the future. Dealers who do not possess their own tankers are facing even greater difficulties, as the availability of tankers has also been adversely affected.

An imbalance created across the region 

Currently, companies are supplying fuel in limited quantities to ensure that the pumps do not run completely dry. However, this is adversely impacting consumer convenience and choice. In many locations, if a pump belonging to one specific company runs out of fuel, the sudden surge in demand shifts to other pumps, thereby creating an imbalance across the entire region.

Companies are operating in a mode focused merely on preventing pumps from running completely dry, a situation that is far from ideal for a state like Himachal. It has been noted that if supplies from even a single company are disrupted, it creates a situation akin to a complete fuel shortage across the entire locality.

Administration needs to enhance coordination, assert dealers 

Better coordination between the Food and Supplies Department and the dealers is imperative. Unless there is effective coordination with stakeholders involved in the trade, it will be difficult to manage the system efficiently. Dealers assert that the administration needs to enhance coordination by gaining a thorough understanding of the ground-level realities.

Sukumar Singh, President of the Himachal Petroleum Dealers Association, stated that fuel products are currently being received in limited quantities. While supplies from Indian Oil remain satisfactory, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are providing only restricted supplies. Dealers who do not own their own tankers are facing the most significant difficulties.