2,000 fuel bunks in the State to down shutters on Sundays

Thhiruvananthapuram: Around 2,000 retail fuel outlets of various oil companies, including private players, in Kerala are set to be affected by the decision to keep petrol bunks shut on Sundays from May 14.

Kerala petroleum traders do not appear to be pleased about reports that they have to close their fuel retail outlets on all Sundays starting from May 14.

M. Radhakrishnan, secretary of Kerala State Federation of Petroleum Traders, said the decision has been conveyed to members and it was a mixed reaction.

"We see this as a 50 per cent benefit for the country and a 50 per cent benefit for us. Through the shutting down of our retail outlets on Sundays we will get a free day besides the environment will also benefit as fewer vehicles will ply on the road. We have been requesting the oil companies to supply us good quality fuel, and till now there has been no answer to our demand, especially on the high rate of evaporation. So if we close down for a day, there is a gain for us too," Radhakrishnan said, and added that they will meet again to take the final call.

However, former president of the traders, Alex Valakallil, said the idea of closing down every Sunday is not feasible.

"This has been shot down each time it has come up in the past as it is not a feasible idea, and like in the past if it comes up again, it is going to be shot down. We have been hearing that a proposal is likely to come up shortly as there are reports that it has been already mooted. This is not a practical solution for anything," said Valakallil.

Kerala is one of the seven states and Puducherry that figure in the new list that has been released, where this new norm is to be implemented.