BMTC fast running out of diesel stocks, scrambles to ensure supply

BENGALURU: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s may go off the roads in a couple of days if the transport utility is not able to fix its fuel supply. The corporation has diesel stock for its buses only for the next two days.

The BMTC has selected HPCL through tender for supply of diesel in bulk quantities, but owes the oil company in crores. With no grants coming from the government, the company has stopped diesel supply. Fuel pumps at many of the BMTC depots are also going dry.

Burdened by the high cost of bulk diesel, the BMTC had asked retailers to supply fuel. But the retailers have now been told by HPCL not to provide diesel anywhere else except at their pumps.

BMTC Managing Director Satyavathi admitted that the corporation has diesel stock to last only two days. “Bulk diesel supply costs us Rs 119 per litre whereas retail price is Rs 32 less. We had been buying from retailers for our fuel pumps at depots since March, but for the last three days, they have been saying that buses should come to their pumps. We tried to reason with them that this may lead to traffic jams. We have also written to the Union Petroleum Ministry as disruption in fuel supply will affect the public. We are confident of resolving the issue by today evening”, she said.

The corporation is making all efforts to ensure regular supply of diesel so that it can keep its buses running. If it is not resolved, then the travelling public may have to look at other means to reach their offices.