Bengaluru: Petrol dealers threaten strike on Monday

BENGALURU: Bengaluru Petrol Dealers Association (BPDA) has called for a strike on Monday demanding better facilities in Devanagundi, where fuel is loaded to tankers, and improvement of the road connecting Hosakote and Devanagundi.

According to BPDA, all the state owned oil firms have their fuel filling centres at Devanagundi. But the road that connects the Devanagundi and Hosakote has not been repaired even after several representations and protests. They pointed out that every day 600 to 700 fuel tankers use that particular road, which is full of potholes. Accidents happen on a daily basis along this stretch, but no initiative has been taken to improve the road. They said at Devanagundi none of the oil firms have built any infrastructure to provide better basic facilities such as rest rooms and security to the tanker crew. Even though the crew have to wait for hours together for refilling, there are no good hotels nearby. Last month following the strike by tanker crew, state government and oil firms had assured that facilities at Devanagundi would be improved and the connecting road will be repaired. However, BPDA office bearers said no action has been taken so far and they have been force to resort to strike. The fuel supply is expected to be hit on Monday as all bunks would remain closed.