Bhubaneswar, July 20,(OT Webdesk): In a bid to curb illegal fuel practices and prevent fire accidents, the Odisha government has announced a statewide ban on the sale of loose petrol and diesel.
The new guidelines will be enforced starting July 21, 2025, restricting petrol pumps from dispensing fuel into bottles or other open containers.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra confirmed the decision following consultations with officials, citing multiple burn incidents linked to open fuel sales. “We are finalising stringent regulations to ensure strict compliance,” the minister stated.
The Petrol Dealers’ Association has pledged full support, acknowledging past lax enforcement despite existing rules.
General Secretary Sanjay Lath pointed to cases of adulteration and smuggling, while President Sashank Shekhar Sahu confirmed that fuel will henceforth only be filled directly into vehicle tanks.
The move, prompted by alarming incidents in Balasore and Puri, aims to restore public safety and eliminate loopholes in retail fuel practices.
