PANJIM: With fuel consumption growth in Goa witnessing rise above national average, the government run oil companies have kicked off expansion of their retail network seeking applications for setting up petrol pumps across 177 locations in the coastal State. Almost 38 per cent of these retail outlets will come up in the rural belts.
Addressing media persons on Sunday, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) State Level coordinator Neeraj Rathore said that public sector undertaking oil marketing companies like Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC) and IOCL are undertaking retail outlet (petrol pump) network expansion in tandem with the growth in demand of petrol and diesel.
“The fuel growth in Goa is much higher than that of national average. In last four years, while the India’s growth in petrol has been 8 per cent, Goa’s growth stood at 10 per cent. Also was in case of Diesel, where Goa’s growth was 7 per cent, while country’s is between 4-5 per cent. This is basically because large number of vehicles are in use in the State,” he said.
Stating that in Goa only government owned retail outlets are operational, which are 120, Rathore said that the number is not sufficient compared to the demand. “We can see, petrol being sold illegally in shops through bottles. As per our study there is large number of petrol pump requirements in the State,” he explained.
He said that as per the directions of the Union Ministry of Petroleum, in Goa, total 177 locations are identified for outlet expansion. The advertisements for the same is also been issued. “We have invited applications for 109 regular retail outlets and another 68 rural retail outlets,” Rathore satted.
Officer said that the entire objective is to cover the rural market as there is shortage of number of petrol pumps leading to illegal sale and expansion will help in generating employment.
“Though we have advertised for 177 outlets, Goa’s past record makes us to claim that hardly 20 may come up. In last four years, only four-five retail outlets have been commissioned in the State,” he informed.
The oil companies are promoting fully automated, high tech retail outlets. For the first time, age and education relaxation is granted for those wanting to apply.
Speaking about the increasing fuel prices, Rathore said that oil companies favour daily change in prices of petrol and diesel as it helps to sync with international market rates.
