Bhubaneswar, Jul 21: Petrol pump dealers across Odisha will no longer sell fuel in loose containers, such as plastic bottles from today. The decision was announced by Shashank Shekhar Sahu, President of the Odisha Petroleum Dealers’ Association, following a series of fire-related incidents in Balasore and Puri.
Sahu addressed the media on Saturday, explaining the rationale behind the ban. “From tomorrow, no petrol will be sold in bottles or any other plastic containers,” he said. “This measure comes in response to the recent fire accidents in Balasore and Balanga, Puri, which underscored the dangers of dispensing petrol in unsafe containers."
He further explained that petroleum products are highly flammable and must be handled according to strict safety protocols under the Petroleum Act. "There are explicit regulations prohibiting the sale of fuel in plastic containers, but despite the law, this practice has persisted at some stations. Our association has now decided to enforce a complete ban on such sales," Sahu added.
Though the rule against selling fuel in plastic containers has been in place, Sahu admitted that enforcement had been inconsistent. "To ensure uniform compliance, all petrol pump dealers across the state have been informed today through WhatsApp and other communication channels," he said.
Sahu also clarified that in rare or emergency situations, fuel may still be dispensed in such containers, but only after verifying the customer’s identity with valid documents like an Aadhaar card. "Proper documentation will be mandatory in these cases," he stressed.
The restriction has already been implemented in Balasore district and will be enforced statewide from Monday onwards.
