Punjab: ‘No shortage of essentials'— authorities urge calm as bulk buying of groceries, fuel surge

Indian Express

09-05-2025

Long queues were witnessed at grocery stores in Mohali and Chandigarh on Friday as residents rushed to stock up on essentials, triggering scenes of panic buying. The surge in demand came after rumours of shops closing early at 7 pm circulated widely, prompting people to buy ration and fuel in bulk.
Heavy crowds were reported particularly in the afternoon, with residents flocking to stores in Sector 26 Grain Market, Sector 22, Sector 27, Sector 20, and other key markets. Essentials such as dry rations, flour, rice, milk powder, and pulses saw soaring demand, and some items even went out of stock.
'I came to buy 2 kg of milk powder in case there's a milk shortage, but it was already unavailable at a Sector 27 store,' said Harpreet Kaur, a local resident. 'I hope the situation improves and daily essentials remain available.'
The panic was not limited to groceries. The electric market in Sector 18 also saw a rush, with people purchasing inverters, batteries, torches, and emergency lights, preparing for possible disruptions.
Meanwhile, panic buying was observed across residential areas in Mohali too. Long lines were seen at local grocery stores, flour mills, and other essential goods outlets.
'People are purchasing more than they need, despite us having adequate stock,' said Pawan, a local shopkeeper. He urged the public to remain calm and avoid unnecessary hoarding.
At B K Flour Mill in Phase 2, crowds have grown significantly, especially following a blackout advisory. The owner, Banish Kumar, stated, 'there is no shortage of flour. All customers will receive their supply at regular prices'.
Meanwhile, amid the growing anxiety, the District Magistrate of Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, prohibiting hoarding and unauthorised stockpiling of essential commodities.
The order, in force from May 9 to July 7, 2025, mandates that all traders and stockists declare their current inventories to the Department of Food and Supplies within three days. Citizens can report violations by calling 0172-2703956. Violators will face strict action under Section 223 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The Mohali administration, which had already banned hoarding of essential goods, has reiterated its warning on stockpiling.
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, while talking with The Indian Express, warned citizens against falling for rumours. 'Avoid sharing unverified information on social media. If anyone comes across incidents of hoarding or black marketing, they must report it to the authorities,' she said. 'There is sufficient availability of essential commodities, and no one should panic.'
Local MLA Kulwant Singh also reassured residents, saying, 'there is absolutely no need to worry or stock up on unnecessary items. The advisories being issued are part of a precautionary drill to prepare for emergency scenarios. Residents can be confident that there will be no shortage of food or other essential supplies.
Fuel stations overwhelmed in Chandigarh
Fuel stations in Sectors 28, 15, and 9, Chandigarh, were similarly overwhelmed, with long lines of cars, two-wheelers, buses, and even tractors — some carrying drums — adding to the chaos. Residents, concerned about fuel shortages, scrambled to fill their tanks.
However, in Mohali petrol pump dealers have reassured the public that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel and that the fuel supply chain remains strong and uninterrupted.
In a collective statement, fuel station owners confirmed that proactive measures have been taken to ensure a steady supply of petrol and diesel, despite the war-like situation. 'There is absolutely no disruption in fuel availability. People should avoid panic buying, as it creates unnecessary chaos and inconvenience,' said a dealer from Zirakpur.
Petrol pump owners emphasised that the city currently has adequate stock, with most supplies arriving smoothly from Jalandhar, Sangrur, and Bathinda. 'While supply from Bathinda is facing some minor, temporary issues, deliveries from Jalandhar and Sangrur are proceeding normally,' they explained.
To further instill public confidence, Zirakpur pump owners urged citizens not to fall prey to rumours or misinformation regarding fuel shortages. 'There is no need to rush or hoard fuel. We are fully stocked and operating as usual,' they added.
Speaking to The Indian Express, MLA Kulwant Singh said, 'all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of petrol pump owners, staff, and customers. The public can rest assured that there will be no fuel shortage at any petrol station in the city'.
Students start leaving hostels
Students residing in hostels of prominent educational institutions have begun vacating their accommodations and returning to their homes after the postponement of examinations. Several hostels now lie empty, with only a few international students still staying on campus.
In Kharar, tenants, mainly students residing in local housing societies are also moving out. 'The students who were living on rent in our house left quietly,' said Baba Singh, a resident of one such society.
A similar trend is visible among industrial workers and private office employees. Many have started heading back to their native towns, while some companies have implemented work-from-home policies for their staff.