the goan I network
PORVORIM
Petrol pumps and retail outlet dealers of Bharat Petroleum Corporation in Goa have stopped selling fuel, both Motor Spirit (petrol) and High Speed Diesel (HSD) to customers in plastic bottles and containers. The decision has, however, fuelled angry reactions from motorists.
BPCL has recently issued a circular directing its retail outlets not to sell MS and HSD to customers in plastic bottles and containers and retail outlet dealers have displayed this circular at their petrol pumps.
The circular has evoked sharp criticism from motorists, who claim the decision would cause hardship to motorists with genuine reasons.
“This decision is insane. If my car runs out of petrol midway on the road what am I supposed to do? If I go to the nearest petrol pump hiring a motorcycle or rickshaw and the petrol pump owner refuses me to give petrol in a bottle, what am I supposed to do,” asked a motorist from Porvorim.
“Petroleum companies should relax this rule to avoid inconvenience to vehicle owners,” said another.
Similar reactions were expressed by other vehicle owners in Porvorim.
When contacted, a petrol pump owner said the BPCL had issued some clarifications regarding its circular.
“India is administered by PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization), which forms all the petroleum rules. As per Section 8 of Petroleum Rules 2002, one can carry petrol upto 1 litre in glassware or stoneware bottle or in metal cans from a petrol pump without any licence. But one can’t use plastic bottle for the same,” explained the pump owner.
“Water bottles are made up of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which dissolves in petrol. So while storing petrol in PET bottles, the plastic may dissolve and will leak, creating a dangerous situation.”
“Besides, antisocial elements use petrol to make petrol bombs, burn bikes, cars, buses and create nuisance. So to keep a check on these activities, petrol is not given in plastic bottles,” the pump owner added.
The dealer also stated that some shopkeepers in Goa sell petrol in plastic bottles in their shops, which is both illegal and dangerous given the combination of PET and petrol.
Asked if there was a way out to address concerns of motorists with genuine needs, the pump owner replied: “If the requirement of a customer is genuine, including instances of a vehicle running out of fuel, then purely on humanitarian grounds, we will supply the motorist with petrol in a can after seeking an undertaking that the fuel is for personal use and that, it will not be misused.”
