FuelSupply – Maharashtra Expands Fuel Distribution Amid Sharp Consumption Rise
FuelSupply – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the state government has increased fuel distribution after witnessing an unusual rise in retail petrol and diesel consumption across several districts. He stated that the Food and Civil Supplies Department and the Home Department are jointly supervising fuel movement and supply systems to ensure uninterrupted availability for consumers.
According to the Chief Minister, petrol distribution in the state has been raised by 23 per cent, while diesel supply has increased by 52 per cent in response to growing demand. He noted that the administration is also investigating possible fuel hoarding and the suspected diversion of fuel for commercial activities.
Districts Report Unusual Increase in Fuel Consumption
Speaking to reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting alongside Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis said some districts have recorded exceptionally high growth in retail fuel demand compared to normal seasonal trends.
Akola registered the sharpest increase, with fuel consumption reportedly rising by 154 per cent. Several other districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Gondia, and Hingoli, witnessed increases of nearly 70 per cent in regular fuel consumption patterns.
The Chief Minister said officials are carefully examining differences between commercial and retail fuel supplies to ensure fuel meant for consumers and agricultural activities reaches the intended sectors without disruption.
Oil Companies Assure Adequate Fuel Availability
The statement from the Chief Minister came a day after public sector oil marketing companies and the Maharashtra government assured citizens that sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel, and LPG are available across the state.
Officials from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, through the State Level Coordinator for the oil industry in Maharashtra, confirmed that fuel supply operations remain stable and are being monitored continuously.
The companies stated that adequate fuel reserves are available at petrol pumps as well as storage depots throughout Maharashtra. Authorities are regularly tracking stock levels and replenishing supplies wherever necessary to prevent shortages.
Government Responds to Onion Farmers’ Crisis
Apart from fuel supply concerns, Fadnavis also addressed the worsening financial distress faced by onion growers in several parts of Maharashtra. He criticised opposition parties for politicising the issue and said both the state and central governments are actively working on relief measures for farmers.
The Chief Minister announced that the Centre has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing challenges affecting onion cultivators and possible long-term solutions for stabilising the market.
He said the central government recently increased onion procurement support by Rs 3.5 per kilogram, taking the procurement price to around Rs 15 per kg. Maharashtra has also sought a broader review with central authorities to examine additional intervention measures and support systems for farmers dealing with falling prices.
Onion-Producing Regions Face Severe Losses
Major onion-producing regions of Maharashtra, including Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and several areas of Marathwada, are currently facing serious economic pressure despite strong agricultural output this season.
A combination of weather-related disruptions and international trade challenges has affected market demand and caused a steep decline in wholesale onion prices. In key Agricultural Produce Market Committees such as Lasalgaon, Satana, and Paithan, prices for low and medium-quality onions reportedly dropped to between 50 paise and Re 1 per kilogram during early May.
Even higher-grade onions are selling at only Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kilogram in several wholesale markets, creating heavy losses for cultivators.
Data from the State Agriculture Department showed that onion cultivation expanded to nearly 10 lakh hectares during the 2025-26 season, resulting in production estimated between 165 and 170 lakh metric tonnes. However, farmers are struggling as cultivation expenses, including seeds, fertilisers, labour, and transport, are estimated at Rs 18 to Rs 20 per kilogram, far above current market rates.