India's public oil firms report no fuel shortage despite market volatility

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) marketing director Sukhmal Kumar Jain told IANS that India has no shortage of petrol or diesel. Public sector oil marketing companies operate around 85,000 of the roughly 100,000 fuel retail outlets nationwide, ensuring steady supply. He acknowledged occasional isolated issues but said overall consumption is fully managed by the public sector.

Jain noted that while supply is secure, global crude‑oil price volatility, higher shipping and insurance costs, and a rupee depreciation—from about INR 89‑90 per US$ to around INR 96—are hurting margins. He estimated that oil companies are absorbing daily losses of roughly Rs 600‑700 crore. Despite these financial pressures, PSU oil firms continue to provide uninterrupted fuel across the country.