Lucknow, March 28 -- Uttar Pradesh saw an unprecedented surge in petrol and diesel sales over the past two days, nearly doubling last year's figures as the panic buying syndrome was proved in numbers, which also indicated there was no real shortage. Authorities, too, assured residents there is no scarcity anywhere in the state.

Sanjay Bhandari, executive director and state head of Indian Oil Corporation, said the spike on March 25-26 was driven entirely by panic buying, not supply disruptions.

"All fuel supplies are running normally, and deliveries continue across the state," said Bhandari, who is also the state-level coordinator of oil companies.

"Petrol sales on March 26 soared to 2.9 crore litres, compared with 1.5 crore litres last...