Oil mafia: Mumbai-Delhi corridor worst affected

Though the oil adulteration is a countrywide phenomenon, the Mumbai-Delhi corridor is the most affected route. Transporters use the Mumbai-Nashik-Dhule-Shirpur-Indore-Gwalior-Agra-Delhi route or the Mumbai-Surat-Vadodra-Modassa-Udaipur-Jaipur-Delhi.

According to Daljeet Singh Bal, president of the Maharashtra Truck Owners Welfare Association, 80% gas stations on both routes sell diesel mixed with kerosene. “Despite repeated requests to the state and central agencies, nothing concrete has been done to check the menace,” he said.

He added: “Several gas station owners have laid additional underground tanks. These are not permitted by oil companies. We have made a representation before the petroleum ministry, asking for mapping of all gas stations on the highways to unearth the big racket.”

Industry sources said that pump owners use a sophisticated valve system, which allows them to manipulate the diesel flow from the authorised and unauthorised tanks. “Whenever a government vehicle arrives for filling, the operator adjusts the valve to deliver pure diesel. When a trucker wheels in, the valves shifts to the adulterated tank,” said a transporter.