By Augusten Blah
The long queues at petrol stations in Shillong and the growing anxiety among citizens over the possible disruption of petrol, diesel and LPG supplies from Assam should concern us, not merely because people fear running out of fuel, but because it exposes a deeper and more fundamental question about Meghalaya’s energy security. Recent reports indicate that a petroleum transport workers’ union has threatened to suspend the transportation of petrol, diesel and LPG from Assam to Meghalaya, citing security concerns for Assam-registered vehicles. The development has understandably triggered anxiety and panic buying in Shillong. But perhaps we should pause and ask a larger question. Why should a state like Meghalaya become so vulnerable if a road route from a neighbouring state is disrupted? This is not simply a question about petrol pumps. It is a question about infrastructure, logistics, preparedness and long-term energy security. What about the Northeast’s own petroleum resources? The Northeast is not without petroleum resources or energy infrastructure.
Assam has a long history of oil and gas production. ONGC operates oil and gas assets in Assam, while the region also has significant refining infrastructure. Government data lists IOC’s refineries at Digboi, Guwahati and Bongaigaon, as well as Numaligarh Refinery in Assam. ONGC is primarily an upstream oil and gas producer, so it is important not to confuse ONGC with the companies responsible for retail fuel distribution. ONGC produces crude oil and natural gas, while refineries convert crude into petroleum products such as petrol and diesel, which are then distributed through oil-marketing companies. In fact, ONGC and Numaligarh Refinery Limited have entered into an agreement concerning the supply of ONGC crude to NRL, demonstrating how the region’s own resources are already connected to the Northeast’s refining ecosystem.
So the question is not whether the Northeast has petroleum resources. The question is: Are we adequately connecting those resources, refineries, storage facilities and distribution networks to Meghalaya so that the state is not excessively dependent on one vulnerable transportation corridor? Meghalaya cannot live on panic buying.
The Government of Meghalaya and the oil industry have previously assured citizens that petroleum supplies are adequate. In April 2026, officials stated that Meghalaya had sufficient stocks for approximately 25 days of petrol demand and 46 days of diesel demand, with 334 retail outlets operating across the state. In May, the oil industry again stated that petrol, diesel and LPG supplies across Meghalaya were normal and uninterrupted and appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying. But the present situation shows that stock availability alone is not enough. A state may have adequate stocks today, but what happens if transportation is disrupted for several days? That is where contingency planning becomes crucial.
We need answers, not rumours. The people of Shillong should not have to depend on WhatsApp messages, social media rumours or long queues at petrol stations to understand whether fuel will be available tomorrow. The State Government, oil marketing companies and the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas should clearly explain: What is Meghalaya’s emergency fuel contingency plan? How many days of petrol, diesel and LPG can Meghalaya sustain if road transportation from Assam is interrupted? Are alternative supply routes available? Can fuel be transported through other corridors if one route becomes unavailable? Are sufficient storage facilities available within Meghalaya? Can supplies be sourced from other parts of the Northeast or eastern India when necessary? And perhaps most importantly: What long-term steps are being taken to reduce Meghalaya’s vulnerability to disruptions in a single supply chain? What about ONGC? The mention of ONGC deserves serious public discussion but with the facts clearly understood. ONGC’s role is largely in exploration and production. It is not simply a petrol supplier that can send petrol tankers directly to Shillong.
However, ONGC’s crude production forms part of the larger petroleum ecosystem of the Northeast. Its relationship with regional refineries such as NRL shows that the region’s own resources can contribute to regional energy security. Therefore, perhaps the question we should be asking is not: “Can ONGC give Meghalaya petrol?” Rather: “Can the Northeast’s oil and gas resources, refineries, terminals and distribution infrastructure be better integrated to strengthen Meghalaya’s fuel security?” This is a legitimate policy question. From panic to preparedness.
The people of Meghalaya should certainly remain calm and avoid unnecessary hoarding. Panic buying can itself create an artificial shortage by emptying petrol stations faster than normal. But citizens also have every right to ask questions. A temporary disruption should not repeatedly create a sense of helplessness in an entire state. Meghalaya is strategically important to the Northeast. Shillong is not an isolated town that can simply stop functioning when a transportation route is disrupted. Fuel is essential for ambulances, public transport, taxis, private vehicles, generators, businesses, hospitals, government services and the everyday economy.
Therefore, fuel security must be treated as an essential component of state security and economic resilience. The present anxiety should not merely end when the petrol pumps are replenished. It should become an opportunity for the government and the oil industry to examine the entire supply chain and ask: Can Meghalaya build a fuel-distribution system that is more diversified, better stored, better connected and less vulnerable to disruptions outside the state’s control? Because the real issue is not whether Shillong has petrol today. The real issue is whether Meghalaya can guarantee petrol tomorrow. And that is a question deserving a clear, transparent and long-term answer.
