New fuel retail outlets may rely on public sector OMCs to build networks

Indians may soon see new brands of fuel retail outlets (or petrol pumps) as the oil ministry allows more companies to market auto fuels in the country. Seven new authorisations have been granted under the relaxed guidelines for authorisation to market transportation fuels that were revised in 2019 (see table: In the pipeline).

These companies are banking on rising fuel demand predicated on growing vehicle ownership and rising mobility. There is a rising challenge from electric vehicles to be sure, but a complete transition that would dent demand growth may be further away in the future.

These new approvals were