State-run oil marketing companies on Sunday said they would be more than doubling their petrol bunk network in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 3-4 years.
As many as 5,125 fuel outlets are proposed to be opened by the three companies, namely IOC, BPCL and HPCL, in Tamil Nadu, where they have 4,844 such facilities now. In Puducherry, the companies intend to add 132 outlets to the existing network, consisting of a similar number of bunks.
IOC executive director R. Sitharthan said customer convenience was the factor behind the decision to expand at a scale like never before. “We are looking at enhanced customer convenience. There are places where there is no coverage for several kilometres,” he said, addressing media on Sunday, with senior executives of the other two firms. “Many new highways and industrial hubs are also coming up in Tamil Nadu and the new outlets will cater to their requirements,” he pointed out.
Mr. Sitharthan, who is the State oil industry coordinator, said such an expansion was a necessity as annual retail sales of petrol and diesel was increasing by 8% and 4% respectively.
HPCL’s south zonal head (retail), Sandeep Maheswari, said oil companies had checked feasibility for each of the new locations advertised for.
“There have been no advertisements for four years now and we hope people who have been waiting for such a business opportunity will take it up,” he said.
Simplified process
BPCL’s State retail head, V. Nagarajan, said this time around, the selection process was simplified. It will be completely computerised through a draw of lots like how it is done for LPG dealer selection. “Only the selected candidates need to provide documents. If someone does not have the requisite land on hand, but will get it soon, we can even wait,” he explained.
To queries on customers complaining of outlets dispensing less quantities of fuel, Mr. Maheswari said almost all dispensing units in the State had been changed to multi-product, tamper-free dispensing units, that act as a check against adulteration and short supply to a great extent.