 "Check norms deviation by fuel pumps on highways: Roadmin to oil cos")
Concerned over most of the fuel stations along the National Highways not complying with norms for construction, the government has sought a road map for rectification by this week from all the oil companies including Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum.
"Only 7% of the existing retail outlets (in Punjab and Haryana) have been constructed following approved drawings, which is really a matter of great concern," the Road Transport and Highways Ministry has said in a communication to oil companies.
In an inspection of 996 retail outlets along the NHs in both the states, it was detected that only 636 retail outlets had obtained the approval of Ministry while only 66 retail outlets have been constructed as per approved drawings.
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Taking a serious note of the issue, the ministry has said: "All the oil companies will complete the exercise for compiling the information (details of existing retail outlets and compliance of norms)...Within July 19 and submit road map for rectification, if required for each case."
Besides, it decided to keep in abeyance access permission to retail outlets along NHs till the completion of the exercise.
"Till completion of the above exercise, no more cases for granting access permission to retail outlets/service stations along NHs will be processed by the Ministry," the ministry said in the letter.
It added that the Ministry has been receiving a large number of complaints from public and transporters about the situation which is not at all desirable in order to ensure safe movement of traffic on the NHs.
"Further, it should be the endeavour of the Ministry as well as the oil companies to ensure that all the retail outlets constructed along the NHs satisfy the Ministry's norm and fulfil their obligations which were part of the license/agreement entered into while opening the outlets," it added.
On July 4, a meeting was held in Ministry, headed by RTH Secretary Vijay Chibber, to consider deviations with regard to the retail outlet norms. It was attended by senior officials as well as the representatives from IOCL, HPCL, BPCL and Reliance Industries among others.
Norms for the Access for Fuel Stations, Service Stations and Rest Areas along National Highways include safety measures like length of carriageway, plot size, drainage and design of stations.