A video of a man pouring fuel into a large water can at a petrol pump in Tamil Nadu has gone viral on social media, sparking a debate about safety regulations and fuel hoarding due to rumours of fuel shortages.
The video of the man pouring fuel into what appears to be a 20-litre water can while sitting on a motorcycle was first uploaded on social media earlier this week by a YouTube channel that posts videos related to the district of Villupuram.
The video has been making rounds on social media as people are speculating about fuel supply disruptions due to the tensions in West Asia. The video shows a man sitting on a motorcycle while holding what appears to be a 20-litre water can. A petrol pump employee is seen pouring fuel into the can as people are seen standing around the pump.
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Social media users raise safety and legal concerns
The viral video prompted a series of reactions from social media users, with many expressing their concern over whether refueling the vehicles in such large plastic containers is legal.
“Is this legal?” one user commented under the viral video, while another user wrote, “How is the petrol pump allowing this?” There were many users who were concerned about the panic buying and the hoarding.
“This is how artificial scarcity gets created,” a user wrote, commenting on the fact that the panic buying can lead to a worsening of the situation, even if the fuel is not scarce. The users were of the opinion that the petrol pumps should ensure the safety guidelines are followed.
India is not for beginners. 🇮🇳
— 🔥 Satz 🔥 (@thala_speaks) March 12, 2026
Global crisis? No problem. We’ll just turn our water tanks into a gas station. Problem solved! ⛽️💀
Good Morning Friends pic.twitter.com/rIjnQwIXNI
What the rules say about fuel storage
According to guidelines from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, containers used to store petroleum must meet specific safety standards.
The ministry states that containers exceeding one litre for petroleum Class A fuels and five litres for Class B or Class C fuels must be of a type approved by the Chief Controller. Petroleum is classified based on its flash point. Class A petroleum has a flash point below 23C, Class B ranges from 23C to below 65C, and Class C ranges from 65C to below 93C.
Experts note that storing petrol in unsuitable plastic containers can be dangerous because fuel vapours are highly flammable and improper storage increases the risk of accidents.
Panic buying fears amid fuel shortage rumours
The viral video has also emerged at a time when social media is carrying rumors about a potential fuel shortage due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Though there has been no official word from the authorities about a fuel shortage in India, experts say that such a situation can create undue pressure on the supply chain. The authorities usually ask people to avoid hoarding fuel and follow safety guidelines while purchasing petroleum products.
