Fuel stations in Bhopal unsafe

BHOPAL: Fuel stations located in many parts of the city are a big threat to the life of the residents.
Experts say, most of the fuel stations in the state capital are not set up as per norms.
More two dozen petrol pumps set up in the city are a threat to the commuters and residents.
"Many fuel stations in the city are located in very congested areas, posing threat to the residents and commuters,” Siddharth Rokde, Traffic and Management Professor, MANIT told TOI.There are around 50 petrol pumps in and around the city.Indian Road Congress 12 specifies that, two petrol pumps should be located at a minimum distance of 300 meters. Fuel stations should also not be located in congested areas for security of the residents and commuters.
However, officials deny any such happening. “All the fuel stations located in the city are with the permission of the concerned authorities. The city is congested, therefore, we do not have any place to set up petrol pumps,” Collector Nikunj Shrivastava told TOI.
“We realize that there is a certain threat to the constructions alongside have little threat due to the fuel stations , but the chances of any such accidents are nominal, as there are security measures at the fuel stations,” BMC commissioner Rajneesh Shrivastava said. “Moreover the congestion of the city adds to the problem,” he added.