The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday suspended a petrol pump based in Tamil Nadu on report of giving fuel in a loose container, flagging unsafety. The government has instructed retail outlets to strictly follow safety guidelines while dispensing fuel.
“It has come to notice that at one retail outlet in Tamil Nadu, petrol was being taken in a loose container, which is unsafe and not advisable…The concerned petrol pump has been suspended, and appropriate action has been taken,” it said.
The government advised consumers not to take or store petrol or any fuel in loose or inappropriate containers amid serious safety risks.
Amid panic booking and hoarding reports from across the country, the ministry reiterated that both petrol and diesel are adequately available at retail outlets across the country.
Earlier on Friday, the government said it is ensuring an uninterrupted supply of cooking gas to households amid a surge in panic bookings, and advised around 60 lakh households located near piped natural gas (PNG) networks to consider switching to piped connections for convenience.
Officials warned hoarders and black marketers of strict action if they try to exploit the crisis created by the war in West Asia.
Amid high booking requests, the ministry urged citizens not to rush to book LPG cylinders, saying normal deliveries continue despite reports of panic booking.
As a temporary measure to manage the rising demand, the minimum gap between bookings has been increased from 21 days to 25 days.
