Fuel Outlets On Andhra-Karnataka Border Witnessing Low Sales
Several petrol and diesel bunks have closed down and are being used to dry harvested food grains: Reports
ANANTAPUR: Business of fuel outlet dealers in AP near the border with Karnataka is dim owing to the huge variation in prices of petrol and diesel between the two states for the past eight years. Majority of dealers are unable to run their outlets. These have become shelters for drying harvested crops and other needs.
After the second rise in fuel prices following the Middle East war, a litre of petrol is costing about ₹99.78 in Karnataka, while it is ₹113.78 in AP. Diesel price is ₹91.27 in Karnataka and ₹103.23 in AP. Huge variations in prices are prompting vehicle owners in border areas to depend on fuel outlets across the border in Karnataka.
A filling station needs a minimum of ₹25,000 every month towards salaries and other maintenance. A filling station at Vidapanakal mandal towards Bellary in Karnataka has closed. It is being used to dry harvested food grains.
This is the scene at many fuel stations in Rayalaseema region located close to Karnataka. Similar is the impact of fuel stations near Tamil Nadu and Telangana borders.
Significantly, hundreds of buses belonging to various travels plying between Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Bengaluru depend on Karnataka filling stations. Further, motorists residing on borders in Madakasira, Rayadurgam, and Hindupur are crossing AP’s borders for refilling at fuel pumps in Karnataka.
“The crisis has impacted at least eight families that depend on each bunk,” said L.V. Prasad, a dealer of AP on the Karnataka border.