Bhubaneswar: Even as fuel prices are on the rise across the state, a petrol pump allegedly selling adulterated fuel triggered tension in Bhubaneswar Wednesday night.
According to sources, hundreds of buyers gathered at the petrol pump at around 8.30pm after filling petrol in their respective vehicles at ‘Highway Service Centre’ located in Baramunda area.
They alleged that their vehicles malfunctioned as the petrol dispensed from the pump contained water. The protestors extracted petrol from the fuel tanks of their motorcycles in plastic containers to prove their clams, a local buyer stated.
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“I fill petrol from this pump every day. Shockingly, today I witnessed that almost 50 per cent the fuel dispensed at the station contains water. The mileage of my bike steadily decreased due to presence of adulterated fuel. After running for a few kilometres, it suddenly stopped,” a biker Govind Chandra Saran said.
Another customer also faced similar problems. After filling his vehicle’s tank at the petrol pump, he dropped his children at a private tuition in Khandagiri area. However, he could hardly cover a distance of 2km thereafter as the engine stopped midway. The man had to push his motorcycle up to the petrol pump.
Later, Khandagiri police reached the spot and pacified the irked buyers. The manager of the petrol pump was detained for interrogation.
On the other hand, comments from the petrol pump owner could not be obtained in this regard despite attempts.
PNN