Subhash Mahajan
Chamba: A case of suspected fuel adulteration has come to light at a private petrol pump in Chowari in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh where a vehicle broke down shortly after being refuelled with diesel allegedly mixed with water. The incident led to a complaint to the Food and Civil Supplies Department and police intervention to pacify the situation.
According to initial reports, members of the Himachal Pradesh Transport Operators’ Union were travelling from Chamba to Dharamshala in a private vehicle after concluding union elections. They refuelled their vehicle with diesel worth Rs 3,000 at the Chowari fuel station. However, within just four to five meters, the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted.
Pump staff admits error, blames rainwater contamination
When questioned, the petrol pump staff admitted that due to recent rains, water had entered one of the underground fuel tanks. Although that particular pump was meant to be shut off, the staff mistakenly used it to refuel the vehicle. The manager assured the customers that the diesel would be drained from their vehicle and the issue resolved.
Despite the explanation, union office bearers, including general secretary Deepender Kumar, senior vice-president Naveen Thakur and members Sanjeev Kumar, Dinesh Kumar and Ishwar Negi accused the pump owner of deliberate fuel adulteration. They claimed that had the vehicle broken down later during travel, the contamination might not have been discovered.
They also conducted an informal test, claiming to find 250 ml of water in one litre of diesel and immediately reported the matter to the police and the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
Official response and sample collection
Ranveer Singh, Inspector with the Food and Civil Supplies Department, confirmed receiving the complaint. He visited the site and collected diesel samples, which will be sent to the Indian Oil Corporation for testing. The final report will determine whether adulteration occurred.
Fuel station owner Pratap Shukla acknowledged the issue, stating: “Due to the rainy season, water had seeped into one of the tanks, and that machine was intentionally shut. A staff member mistakenly used it to fill diesel in the vehicle. It was an unintentional error, not deliberate adulteration.”
