BPCL outlets in state facing shutdown
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 11 2023: Share of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Manipur's oil market registered significant decline in the past few months with business of the oil company in the state feared to be on the verge of extinction.

In view of the emerging negative development, the oil company has abolished All Manipur BPCL Dealers Cum Transporters Association, a body of 41 retail outlets of the company in the state, as a first step towards ceasing company's business in the state.

The oil company cited association's inability to run oil business in the state effectively.

Proprietor of some retail outlets of BPCL told media persons on Monday that market share of BPCL in state's oil market was 30-40 percent in the recent past but the oil company is almost non-existent now.

Some retail outlets (petrol pump) of the company are still operating but for namesake only and out of compulsion.

According to the proprietors, it took around five days for a retail outlet to sell one loaded tanker of petrol when BPCL's market share in the state stood at 30-40 percent.

However, retail outlets are now finding it hard to sell one tanker load of petrol in 20 days now.

In the recent past, a retail outlet could sell 8-10 petrol tankers in a month compared to which the sale quantity has dipped to less that two tankers in same period.

On the other hand, BPCL has no oil depot in Manipur consequently resulting in a tanker covering at least 1,600km (to and fro) for procuring transport fuel from outside, they said adding that significant reduction in oil purchase in the state owing to the present unrest situation is having adverse impact on the oil market.

Post the communal conflict on May 3, people have stopped long distance travel.

Every day people used to travel between Imphal and Churachandpur and Mao, Senapati and Imphal before the conflict but all such long distance travelling have stopped now.

Due to the prevailing tense situation in the state, people have stopped visiting picnic spots even during festive seasons thereby significantly reducing oil purchase, they pointed out.

While informing that none of the BPCL outlets are functioning properly in the state and company's retail outlets in the hills have long been shut down, the proprietors said retail outlets in the valley are struggling to pay EMI for banks.

Some retail outlets are opening only 10 day a month and unable to pay salary for staff and electricity bills, they said adding that retail outlets are unable to gather together in view of the prevailing situation and even unable to extend monetary donation for public causes.

They later announced abolition of All Manipur BPCL Dealers Cum Transporters Association in view of the prevailing situation.

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