Mobile fuel dispensing units go unchecked

LAHORE

Despite repeated notices by the deputy director Explosive Punjab, the city district administration failed to stop unauthorised and illegal installation of tanks along with dispensing units in mobile vehicles, The News has learnt.

Sources in the Punjab Explosive Department said the department had been issuing notices and reminders to the city district administration for the stoppage of illegal mobile vehicles carrying illegal fuel dispensing units and tanks but no action was taken so far. 

According to notice number G-16/2000-LC issued on April 19, 2017, the deputy director Explosive, Ali Khan asked the Deputy Commissioner Lahore and other districts for immediate action against vehicles using illegal mini-petrol pumps. They should be taken into custody and their non-functioning be ensured under intimation to his office as per Rule, 131 of the Petroleum Rules, 1937, he said. 

The notice added that illegal mobile units are the real threat to public safety and they might be impounded in the best interest of the public life and property. There is a legal procedure in the Petroleum Rules 1937 and only a prescribed size of oil tankers can move on the roads after getting approval from the chief inspector of Explosive Pakistan. Due to the negligence of the district administrations and traffic police, a majority of illegal oil dealers have established mini-vehicles and installed oil tankers on them. 

No safety parameter has been followed in the vehicles and they are moving freely on the roads. In case of any road accident, they could also explode and cause injuries or take lives of innocent citizens. A majority of the vehicles are being operated by illegal oil agencies and they are carrying dangerous petroleum openly.

Deputy Director Explosive Punjab, Ali Khan, told The News that his office had written to local administrations many times but no practical step was taken so far.  He said that authorities must come forward stop the movement of the illegal mobile fuel vehicles. 

Talking to The News, Lahore Mayor Col (retd) Mubashir Javed said he would issue directives to look into the matter and authorities concerned would take action. "Such issues must be dealt with without delay and the Lahore Commissioner and the CCPO would be asked to constitute special teams to stop the movement of the illegal fuel mobile dispensers.

A spokesman for the Lahore Commissioner told The News that teams had already been constituted and transport, excise and police personnel were members of the teams. 

When contacted, Director General Excise and Taxation Punjab, Akram Ashraf Gondal, said that he would look into the matter and issue special directives to the Motor Branch director to constitute special teams and assist the Explosive Department in the noble cause of public safety.

He added that he would constitute special teams of the Excise Motor Branch and a joint campaign would be launched against vehicles carrying fuel tanks.