A brewing fuel crisis in Andhra Pradesh has prompted YSRCP MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy to seek the Centre’s swift help. In a detailed letter to Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal, Reddy outlined the dire situation of petrol, diesel, and LPG scarcity plaguing the state.
Petrol stations statewide are in distress, with around 70% of the 4,510 outlets either out of service or rationing fuel harshly. Drivers of cars are capped at 10-15 liters of diesel, and bike riders at 200 rupees worth of petrol. This isn’t happening in adjacent states, raising serious questions.
Reddy challenged the ministry’s assurances of nationwide sufficiency and stable retail prices. He noted the irony of claims about 100% supply capacity for household fuels amid ground realities of empty pumps and skyrocketing distress.
The economic ripple effects are profound. Farmers can’t run tractors, fishermen are stranded, transport sectors are paralyzed, and small traders are losing livelihoods. Every segment of society, especially the underprivileged, is bearing the brunt.
Blasting the state administration, Reddy claimed the crisis is man-made, with the government hand-in-glove with hoarders rather than aiding citizens. He also flagged manipulative pricing on commercial LPG and widespread hoarding of fuels and cylinders.
YSRCP activists are mobilizing protests across Andhra. In Vijayawada, Devineni Avinash led a symbolic protest at a petrol pump on Nehru Road, towing an auto-rickshaw by rope to highlight the absurdity of the shortage under current governance.
He branded the Chandrababu regime incompetent for failing on basics like fuel supply. With the crisis deepening, the MP’s call for central action underscores the need for accountability and rapid resolution.
