Lucknow, March 27 -- Panic buying triggered by rumours and speculation about a potential hike in petrol and diesel prices led to long queues at petrol pumps in select centres in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday.

The panic, which began in Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, and Bahraich on Wednesday, spilled over to other cities, including the state capital, on Thursday. Reports from Prayagraj, Deoria, Sultanpur, Gonda, and Gorakhpur also indicated that people rushed to fuel stations, fearing an imminent price hike.

This situation arose despite oil companies claiming they had enough stock in their depots to last 20 days. Rumours, possibly linked to fears of COVID-era challenges, further fuelled the situation.

However, fuel supply was reported to be norma...