81pc retail outlets operating in Chennai: IOCL

In a huge relief to harried residents of flood-hit Chennai, which has suffered a shortage of fuel in many areas, state-run Indian Oil Corporation today said 81 per cent of its retail outlets are functional and work was on in full swing to make waterlogged outlets fully operational.
"81 per cent of outlets (127 outlets out of 156) are operational in Chennai and are dispensing petrol and diesel. Work is in full swing to get waterlogged retail outlets fully operational," a company spokesperson said in a statement.
The company's terminal in Korukkupet loaded 140 tanker trucks yesterday and 100 trucks were presently serving the outlets in Chennai.

IOCL has also made arrangements to supply fuel from Chittoor, Bengaluru, Salem and Tiruchiraplli.
On LPG supply, IOCL said it's bottling plants in Chengalpet and Ennore were working in "special shifts" to meet the demand.
"The Chengalpet plant is operating in two shifts and Ennore at one shift. There are 83 LPG distributors operating in rain affected areas and so far 45,186 cylinders have been delivered to customers," the spokesperson said.

The company has made arrangments to source LPG from its bottling plant in Salem.
Due to severe rainfall over the last one week in Chennai and surrounding areas, supply of LPG and fuel took a hit along with that of essential commodities like milk, water and food.

Torrential rains have left at least 245 people dead in Tamil Nadu since October 1.