Pune: Petrol pump operators in Pune initiated an indefinite strike on Tuesday (October 15), protesting against petroleum companies over unresolved demands.

The operators, led by the Pune Petrol Dealers Association, have stopped sending their fuel tankers to petroleum depots for refills. This move has already caused fuel shortages at various pump stations, with fears growing that the city may face a more severe fuel crisis in the coming days.

The strike affects around 900 petrol pumps in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the surrounding rural areas, as well as 500 more in Satara district.

Of the fuel tankers that transport petrol and diesel from petroleum company depots, 85% are owned by the pump operators, while the remaining 15% are privately operated.

The strike has resulted in a complete halt to fuel transportation, causing several pump stations in the city to run out of fuel by Tuesday night. If the situation is not resolved quickly, more pumps are expected to face similar shortages.

Dhruv Ruparel, President of the Pune Petrol Dealers Association, expressed concerns over how petroleum companies are managing the tender process for fuel transportation.

According to Ruparel, the companies are issuing tenders at rates that are not economically viable and are making decisions without consulting key stakeholders. He warned that this negligence poses a serious threat to the safe transportation of fuel and endangers public safety.

The association had previously notified the Petroleum Ministry, local authorities, and the petroleum companies about the planned strike. Ruparail emphasized that it is now the responsibility of the petroleum companies to ensure that fuel is delivered on time to avoid further inconvenience to the public.

Despite repeated calls for action, no significant steps have been taken, resulting in 10 documented cases of fuel theft over the past two years. In one recent case, police acted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) just a month ago.

Ruparel stated that while petroleum companies have invested in advanced technologies to prevent theft, these systems are being neglected by officials, which has allowed thefts to continue.

Key Demands:

• Immediate cancellation of all current tenders for fuel transportation.

• Issuance of new tenders with practical and fair rates for safe fuel transportation.

• Immediate suspension of officials who have neglected security measures.

• A thorough police investigation into the involvement of these officials in fuel theft cases.