Question : REGULARISATION OF PETROL PUMPS

(a): whether the Government is aware that National Highway authority and Forest Departments of different states are not clearing the proposals of Oil PSUs for the opening of new petrol pumps and rather taking actions against already installed retail outlets instead of regularizing the same;

(b): if so, whether the Government would take up the issue with these departments and State Government for the regularization of already installed and working petrol pumps; and

(c): if so, the time by which the matter is likely to be taken up and decision taken?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a): Ministry of Shipping Road Transport & Highways (MOSRTH) have issued guidelines for setting up of Retail Outlets along National Highway vide letter dated 25.9.03/17.10.03 and these new guidelines come into force with prospective effect.

In line with the above guidelines,OMCs have been developing the layouts for new ROs and submitting the same to local National Highway authorities.The proposals are then vetted by the concerned Regional Directors of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to MOSRTH for final approval.However,in some cases,delay in obtaining final approval from MOSRTH,has been noticed. In the State of Haryana some cases of ROs where conditional No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued,notices were received from District Magistrate for
(i)complying with fire & safety requirements and
(ii) approval from Forest Department for use of approaches.OMCs have responded to all the notices.However,there has been no case where OMCs had to de-energize/cancel its ROs due to non-receipt of approval from MOSRTH/Forest Department.

(b) & (c): OMCs regularly maintain follow up with MOSRTH/NHAI/Forest Department for necessary approvals.This Ministry also takes up the matter with concerned authorities whenever need arises.