Bhubaneswar: Fuel rationing could hit sanitation services, fear Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), prompting it to urge oil companies to exempt it from the Centre’s 200-litre daily cap under austerity guidelines. The BMC, which requires around 2,000 litres a day, is apprehensive the limit would shrink its operations to just 10%. The civic body has also approached the state supply department, seeking its intervention.“At present, BMC has hired an agency which is involved in bio-mining project activities at Bhausuni. The agency is using heavy machinery in the project, which requires about 3,000 litres of fuel per week. But following the Centre’s notification, BPCL has expressed inability to offer that much fuel. As a result, there is a likelihood of disruption in fuel availability at the designated location,” read the BMC letter to the food supplies and consumer welfare department.“In this regard, it is submitted that bio-mining activities at Bhuasuni serves as a critical operational hub where a large number of heavy vehicles, and machinery are stationed for execution of essential municipal and emergency services. In view of the above, it is requested that suitable exemption/relaxation from the provisions of the Gazette of India notification on June 11 may kindly be considered in favour of BMC for supply of required fuel,” the letter added.BMC handles 800 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste on a daily basis and diesel-based vehicles are mostly used for door-to-door waste collection and transportation to the waste facilities.“We have urged three oil companies, two of which have expressed their inability to supply fuel beyond 200 litres per day. However, they haven’t stopped supplying fuel yet. Including our light commercial vehicles, mechanized sweeping machines and other heavy vehicles, we spend about Rs 2 lakh/day towards fuel expenses. These vehicles are being used under essential services and their daily operation is extremely important to manage municipal solid waste,” said BMC additional commissioner (in charge of vehicles) Kailash Chandra Dash.
