Mixed response to call for petrol pump off

Visakhapatnam: The decision of petroleum dealers to close down filling stations on Sundays after May 14 is receiving mixed reactions from the different industry groups in the port city. While some opined that the idea to conserve fuel is a good initiative, many others observed that downing shutters wouldn’t make any change to the consumption pattern of the public. Representatives from the transport sector observed that short-haul vehicles, which depend on daily collections will bear the brunt, as they fill up fuel based on orders received for the particular day. However, long-haul vehicles such as lorries wouldn’t be affected as they have larger fuel tank capacity and can fill up the day before.

The city has around 60 fuel bunks with each bunk dispensing on an average around 4,000 litres of petrol and 6,000 litres of diesel.

While official directive for closing bunks is yet to be received, a petroleum dealer in the city said, “We will have no other option but to follow if it is being done across the state.” However, he said, “How will consumption reduce? People will fill up the previous day itself to tide over two days. The problem will be for those, who forget to fill up the tank. Also, those who are travelling may also have to face the problem.”

Speaking to TOI, Vizag Lorry Association honorary president KVS Murthy said, “The lorries almost have a capacity of about 400 litres and can travel up to around 1,200 kilometres with a filled up tank. So, we don’t expect any problem due to the closure of fuel pumps as per our initial assessment.”

Vizag Mini Vans Association secretary Vara Prasad said, “Definitely we will face problems due to the bunk closure. Majority of our orders are on Sunday as people are free during this time and use our services for transportation of any goods.”

Furthermore, he said, “We usually fill up fuel on a day-to-day basis, because if we have a full tank and leave the vans in the parking yards, then there is a problem of theft. The only way we can counter it is by storing the fuel in cans and keeping it at home.” “If we want to actually conserve fuel, then it is high time that the government focusses on encouraging electric vehicles or bring in more technology like hydrogen fuel cells,” a managing director of a software firm involved in energy utilities, said.

“The focus should be on adopting higher efficiency vehicles, but instead now the focus is on cutting off supply chains, which is not beneficial for the industry.”

Following PM Narendra Modi’s call to conserve oil, fuel stations in eight states including AP has decided to remain shut on Sunday’s from May 14