KAKINADA: There is a growing threat from the oil mafia in Andhra Pradesh and gangs have been increasing in influence and strength for the past 15 to 20 years — particularly across North Andhra and the coastal districts. The oil mafia is also adopting different kinds of methods to steal the petrol, diesel and other fuels by using adulterants such as Naphtha, white-oil, black-oil, kerosene and other additives which are cheaper than petrol and diesel.
The main illegal activity of the oil mafia is the supplying of petrol and diesel to many of the petrol bunks in the state by taking ‘way bills’ in the name of Yanam, a Union Territory enclave of Puducherry, where the petrol and diesel charges are less than AP. The mafia is having a free-run in coastal districts in the state and according to sources, the illegal business is estimated at around Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
According to sources, one part of the mafia pilfers petrol or diesel from oil tankers with quantities ranging from 100 litres to 1,000 liters, depending on the capacity of the tankers. The oil tankers usually take a diversion near the fields at Kathipudi checkpost and it’s here that thieves extract the fuel from the transport vehicles. Another kind of threat is the theft of oil from oil companies’ pipelines laid across the national highways and port areas. Some of the persons take out the oil from tankers which headed to port. It is a known fact amongst cops that tankers headed towards Yanam are drained of their contents in Andhra Pradesh. The tankers take way bills in the name of Yanam and unload the commodity in some of AP’s bunks.
Mystery diesel sent for tests:
Officials from the Civil Supplies Department found high-density fluids in adulterated fuel seized by police and civil supplies officials under Thimmapuram and Sarpavaram police station limits recently. “We have sent the diesel oil samples to the laboratory and until then we can’t reveal any more details,’’ said district civil supplies officer G. Uma Maheswara Rao. Officials suspect that the diesel, which is being used to power ships, may have been be adulterated during illegal transportation. However, that is a contested view. Officials said there will be more clarity once all the reports from the tests are out.
Meanwhile, East God-avari district civil supplies department officials are taking the matter seriously. The adulteration of oil and diversion of oil meant for Yanam to East Godavari district has led to the implementation of some quick measures. The department recently issued a circular to revenue, metrology and vigilance officials to verify all stock positions as per books and stocks available in the petrol bunks. The civil supplies department has also asked all officials to send their reports to the civil supplies department office by 6 pm everyday.
Mr Uma Maheswara Rao said that, recently, officials had received several complaints alleging the diversion of petroleum products from Yanam in Puducherry to the petrol bunks in East Godavari district. Andhra Pradesh has become a hub of illegal oil supply and adulteration. Officials say they have been unable to take action because the oil mafia in the state has extensive political links, which is the reason why its business is thriving.
