Bhubaneswar: Petrol pumps across Odisha have reportedly ceased dispensing fuel into any form of bottles or containers, including tin jars, causing significant inconvenience to customers. This stringent measure comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a student from FM College, Balasore, succumbed to severe burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar after an act of self-immolation.
Despite a government directive specifically prohibiting the sale of petrol in plastic bottles due to safety concerns, petrol pump owners have extended this ban to all types of portable containers. Customers attempting to purchase small quantities of fuel for generators, two-wheelers, or other purposes are being turned away, leading to widespread frustration.
“We are being denied petrol even in tin cans,” lamented Prakash Kumar in Bhubaneswar. “Many of us rely on buying small amounts for emergencies or for our small businesses, and this blanket ban is creating a huge problem.”
The immediate catalyst for this intensified restriction is the deeply disturbing incident involving a BEd. student, Saumyashree Bisi from Fakir Mohan College in Balasore. The student reportedly set himself ablaze, sustaining critical burn injuries. He was subsequently admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment but tragically passed away, sending shockwaves across the state.
While the government’s initial advisory aimed to prevent the misuse of easily flammable substances and enhance public safety, petrol pump associations appear to have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for all non-vehicle containers to prevent any potential misuse or accidents, especially after the Balasore tragedy. This move, while intended to bolster safety, has inadvertently impacted a segment of the population dependent on purchasing fuel in smaller, portable quantities.
Authorities have yet to issue a revised clarification or a new directive addressing the current situation where even non-plastic containers are being refused. The ongoing denial of petrol in bottles highlights the delicate balance between public safety regulations and the practical needs of the populace, leaving many citizens in a difficult predicament.