What TTD is saying
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has officially clarified that there is no fuel shortage in Tirumala, even though petrol stocks were temporarily exhausted at the HP and IOCL petrol bunks on Sunday afternoon, leading to “No Stock” boards at both outlets. The trust emphasises that this was an outlet‑specific, short‑duration exhaustion, not a district‑level or temple‑zone‑wide scarcity.
How the situation developed
On Sunday afternoon, the two main fuel stations (HP and IOCL) in Tirumala ran out of petrol for a brief period, so the dealers put up “No Stock” signs and stopped dispensing for some time. This triggered anxiety among devotees and commuters, with many believing there was a general fuel‑crisis in Tirumala, even though diesel‑availability and supplies in Tirupati and surrounding areas remained normal.
By evening, a fuel tanker reached the HP petrol bunk, and petrol supply was restored, allowing vehicles to refuel again. TTD also informed that another tanker is scheduled to reach the IOCL petrol bunk by Monday morning, which should refill that outlet and prevent prolonged‑disruption for hill‑traffic.
What TTD and officials have instructed
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In a public‑clarification, TTD said that there is no shortage of fuel in Tirumala and asked devotees not to panic‑buy or stock fuel, as such behaviour worsens local‑queuing‑and‑exhaustion‑cycles.
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TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary has directed fuel dealers in Tirumala to take precautionary measures, such as:
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Closer coordination with oil‑company tanker‑schedules.
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Keeping buffer‑inventory on the hill even during high‑rush‑days.
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Informing pilgrims and public early about possible short‑gaps so that panic‑runs are avoided.
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Practical impact for devotees and transport
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For pilgrims coming to Tirumala:
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The HP‑station is already refilled; the IOCL‑station should be replenished by Monday morning, so long‑term‑disruption looks unlikely.
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As a precaution, it is still safer to refuel in Tirupati before ascending the hill, especially if you are on a same‑day‑trip or have a tight schedule.
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For taxi, auto‑drivers, and commercial‑vehicles:
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Some drivers faced short‑run‑delays on Sunday when the bunks went dry, but services are expected to normalise quickly once tanker‑arrivals stabilise.
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Operators are advised to check tanker‑timing with bunk‑owners and not rely on social‑media‑rumour, as TTD’s official‑updates and local‑news‑channels give more accurate‑signals.
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Key takeaway points
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TTD clearly states there is no fuel shortage in Tirumala; the “No Stock” boards at HP and IOCL were temporary and outlet‑specific.
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HP petrol‑bunk in Tirumala is already refilled; IOCL is expected to be refilled by Monday morning, which should restore normal‑flow.
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Devotees should avoid panic‑buying, refuel calmly in Tirupati before going uphill if possible, and use TTD/live‑status‑pages to plan travel‑timings.
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TTD has directed dealers to take advance‑precautionary‑measures, which should reduce future‑temporary‑gaps and stabilise fuel‑availability on the hill.
