Nagpur: Sales of petrol and diesel are now only 10-15% of the city’s usual rates, showing the lockout has been highly successful. It, though, also indicates a big disadvantage for operators of gas stations who requested government help.
Vidarbha Petroleum Dealers Association (VPDA) President told, “Only people employed in emergency services, government machinery, delivering critical supplies using automobiles. City’s 94 pumps sell around 5 lakh litres petrol and 1.5 lakh litres diesel every day. The sale is now below 15%.” Gupta’s own outlet used to sell around 8,000 litres daily which is now down to 1,000 litres (12.5%). Likewise, diesel sales fell from 2,000 to 200 litres a day (10%).
“Operation cost has continued to be same and we are required to keep open as per the government’s guidelines. Even the loss of evaporation has increased with a rise in temperature. “Gupta added that Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers has asked three public-sector petroleum firms to send a March financial package and maintain it for 120 days after lockdowns. “The group said debt-ridden dealers can’t bear tension anymore. In dominant cases, pump owners and workers operate like heroes and require urgent support,” he added.
