Fuel dealers, cops discuss security arrangements for petrol pumps

Kathmandu, November 19:

Keeping in mind the continuing shortage of petroleum products in the Kathmandu valley, possibility of attacks on petrol pumps and other criminal activities, representatives of the Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PDA) and the Metropolitan Police today discussed ways to beef up security around the pumps.

“As the shortage of petroleum products continues and pumps remain vulnerable to criminal activities, we sat together to put in place effective security measures at the pumps in the valley,” an SP at the Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, Sarbendra Khanal, said.

According to Shiba Prasad Ghimire, president of the PDA, the valley has 30 per cent shortfall of petroleum products. “Though the valley needs 200 kilolitres of petroleum products every day, we managed to supply just 120 kilolitres today. The quantum of supply may come down to less than 50 per cent by tomorrow,” Ghimire said, adding that “disturbances” have been hindering the import of petroleum products from the Indian Oil Corporation.

Together with seven government-owned pumps, there are 161 petrol pumps in the valley. Three weeks ago, two petrol pumps were vandalised in Kalimati, a petrol pump staffer was shot dead in Bara, and a shootout occurred at a petrol pump in Sunsari. “People get enraged when they don’t get petrol even after lining up in serpentine queues for hours. Frustrated consumers can resort to vandalism,” the police official said.

Petrol pumps are vulnerable to criminal activities, including robberies, because these are the places where huge transactions take place, he said.

“We have asked the owners to fence petrol pumps, recruit security guards and put them on high alert round the clock,” the police official said, adding installing CCTV, alarms and safe establishment of cash-counters can help curb criminal activities.

The extent of damage would be enormous if people resorted to arson, Ghimire said. “We drew the attention of security personnel towards this consequence,” Ghimire said. The metropolitan police has promised to train security guards of the pumps and step up vigil. The representatives also agreed to meet regularly every month to discuss security measures.