Panaji: The Goa Petrol Dealers’ Association (GPDA) has clarified that there is sufficient availability of petrol and diesel across the state, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce fuel consumption amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Urging residents to ignore rumours of a shortage, the association confirmed that Goa’s petrol pumps maintain a 15-day stock that is regularly replenished by oil companies.
President of GPDA Narhar Thakur said that this inventory remains unchanged from levels held prior to the crisis, representing the state’s full tanker storage capacity.
Addressing public concerns regarding potential price hikes, Thakur said that fuel rates are determined solely by oil companies, with pump owners having no influence over pricing. He said that any price changes are automatically calibrated into the dispensing machines.
While the fuel rates have remained steady for the past 18 months, dealers requested that consumers purchase only what they need and avoid “panic buying” or hoarding. They highlighted the importance of fuel conservation, including carpooling, as the global situation remains fluid due to irregular tanker movements.
“Car pooling is important among consumers,” said petrol pump owners Sunil Morajkar, Padma Kamat, Siddesh Kavlekar, Amresh Naik and Gaurish Dhond, who briefed on the fuel situation in the state.
Goa currently consumes approximately 800 kilo litres (KL) of petrol and 1,100 KL of diesel daily.
Of the state’s 146 petrol pumps, 56 are operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), 40 by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and 50 by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). All facilities are 100% automated and equipped with CCTV cameras.
This update by GPDA follows a national appeal made by the Prime Minister on May 11, which encouraged citizens to shift toward public transport or electric vehicles to reduce oil imports during the war crisis.
Meanwhile, the GPDA condemned a recent assault on staff at a Caranzalem petrol pump, where individuals reportedly refused to pay for fuel before attacking the attendants. The association expressed concern over a rising trend of unruly behaviour by customers toward pump staff in the state.
