)
The Centre has asked states to expedite forest clearances and remove a "major hurdle" in the way of building access lanes to petrol stations on National Highways, as delays have led to deviation from construction norms of the NHAI.
Oil firms have informed the Road Transport and Highways Ministry that as many as 135, out of 194 retail fuel pumps built after 2003, were awaiting forest clearance for building standard access lanes by forest departments in Punjab and Haryana alone.
"We have taken up the matter with Chief Secretaries of states for expediting forest clearance to petrol stations on National Highways for construction of acceleration and deceleration lanes as per required standard and norms set by NHAI," said a senior Road Ministry official.
Last month, the ministry had asked oil companies to prepare a blueprint for removal of all shortcomings with respect to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) norms for construction of fuel outlets.
In response, the oil companies informed it that the clearance from forest department was cited by fuel outlets as the major hurdle in meeting norms.
The official said: "Out of the 465 retail outlets in Punjab and Haryana, 194 required acceleration and deceleration (A/D) lanes. Of these only 29 were provided permission.
"Of the remaining 165 cases, approval has been obtained for 14 cases while 135 cases are still awaiting forest nod."
The companies, he said, have assured the ministry that the outlets will construct the lanes within six months of getting the green nod.
The Ministry also made it clear that "the width at ingress/egress lane is based on requirement of safe movement of traffic and cannot be compromised" as in some cases forest departments were insisting on narrow lanes.
Finding that most of the fuel stations were not complying with norms, the ministry had earlier asked companies including Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum for immediate compliance.
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 Ministry had said in a communication to oil companies in July.
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.
