Odisha Cracks Down on Illegal Petrol Sales in Plastic Bottles
The use of plastic bottles to store or sell petrol has now been completely banned
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday launched a statewide crackdown on the illegal sale of petrol in plastic bottles and open markets. The move follows a series of violent incidents involving inflammable fuels, including a recent self-immolation attempt at FM College, prompting authorities to adopt a strict zero-tolerance policy.
The drive was initiated after Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra directed all district collectors to conduct surprise inspections at petrol pumps and unauthorized vendors.
The use of plastic bottles to store or sell petrol has now been completely banned. Only licensed sales in approved containers—such as tin cans or glass bottles—will be allowed, strictly for agricultural purposes like grass cutters and generators.
Under the new guidelines, selling petrol or diesel without a valid license or in public spaces will be treated as a serious offence. Enforcement teams will monitor both petrol pumps and roadside vendors to ensure compliance.
“Anyone found selling petrol in plastic bottles or without proper authorisation will face legal action,” Minister Patra warned.
“Petrol is a highly flammable and dangerous substance, and its misuse has resulted in several tragic incidents recently,” he added.
Fuel pump operators have been instructed to stop dispensing fuel in containers that violate safety norms. Buyers will be allowed to purchase fuel in tin containers of over 20 litres for permitted purposes, provided they present valid documentation.
Unlicensed small-scale sales, particularly in crowded urban and semi-urban areas, will now invite stringent penalties.
The state government has officially adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the unsafe handling and sale of flammable fuels.
According to sources, the inspection drive will be intensified in the coming days, and violators may face license cancellations and criminal prosecution. Authorities have urged the public to buy fuel only from authorized petrol stations using approved containers.