07 February,2011 08:30 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Soon petrol pump owners in the city will not be allowed to use the premises to set up any unrelated side-business.
Taking note of the soaring demand for fuel, the state government issued directives on January 13 ordering fuel station owners to keep selling petroleum products. But most owners in the city are yet to see the notification.
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The city has a total of 96 pumps and 57 in its periphery.
Indrajeet Singh, Teritorial Manager, Bharat Petroleum Limited, said it was difficult to comment on the new notification. "It has certain plus and minus points and I will not comment unless I see it personally," Singh said.
Kolamkar, Chief Regional Manager of Hindustan Petroleum Company, had the same thing to say.
The decision was taken after the Bombay High Court verdict on July 6, 2009, following a writ filed by the Mumbai Taxi Association. Under the chairmanship of chief secretary, a special meeting was organised on July 27, 2009, to enforce the decision. "Lands of these pumps should not be used for other purposes or business," said Rajendra Habade, chief secretary.
Habade issued a notification on January 13 saying urbanisation had led to fuel scarcity for the ever-growing population of vehicle users.
Rajendra Raut, executive engineer, Development Plan Cell, said the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had been notified about the new rule and suggestions and objections would be invited soon.
The new rules will be be enforced in all the 20 municipal corporations in the state.
