Bhubaneswar: As of today, 232 out of 234 fuel stations in cyclone Fani-hit Puri, Khudra, and Cuttack districts are functional and the remaining two will be made operational by Saturday, informed Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after taking stock of the supply of petroleum products with different OMCs.
The current sales of fuel in Puri district, which bore the brunt of cyclone Fani, has reached three lakh litres per day which is close to the normal consumption levels, said Pradhan.
“Fuel dispensing had begun within 24 hours of the Cyclone Fani hit the Odisha coast. As of today, 232 out of 234 filling stations in Puri, Khurda, and Cuttack districts are functional and the remaining two will be made operational by tomorrow. It is indeed a great job done by oil marketing companies,” said Pradhan, who hails from Odisha.
The Union Minister reviewed the situation with senior official of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) here.
He said that 200 out of 234 filling stations have suffered severe damage due to the cyclone.
“Plans have been drawn up for their restoration at the earliest,” said Pradhan.
All 162 LPG distribution centres in Puri, Khurda, and Cuttack districts are operational and there is enough stock to meet the demand in the affected districts, added Pradhan.
He said that additional measures have been taken to manage the rush of two wheelers in Puri city for fuels while normalcy have been restored in worst hit Nimapada, Brahmagiri and Satyabadi regions.
Eight mobile bowsers have also been pressed into service for door step delivery of fuel to institutions such as Government offices, banks, telecom operators, and hospitals for interrupted power availability. The Union Minister also advised major filling stations to extend door step delivery through barrel mounted small vehicles.
