Ranchi, July 28: Illegal sale of petrol continues with impunity in the capital though the administration reacts only by passing the buck to local representatives of petroleum companies.

One can see petrol being sold in all major junctions of the city, at places where automobiles halt for passengers or for repair. This is also a reason for the increase in pollution level.

Selling petrol outside petrol pumps is illegal but it is carried out in Birsa Chowk, Hinoo, Doranda, near Ratan Talkies in Main Road, Ratu Road as well as Kanke Road. Due to the lack of strict action of the administration, more such shops are opening each day. The common people are also to be blamed as they do not mind buying fuel from these shops.

An auto rickshaw driver explained, “It is not a regular practice but we buy petrol from these outlets only when the fuel tank is near-empty and the nearest petrol pump is far off. But sometimes it is also due to the laziness of the drivers.”

“I never buy petrol from these roadside vendors. A few of my friends do so because they say they are too busy to buy the fuel from the gas station”, said Sandeep Guha, a student of St. Xavier’s College.

While most of the times the fuel is acquired from fuel stations but many times these are also stolen from bikes in Parking areas of busy commercial complexes.

“I was a victim of the fuel theft when I went to Tagore Hill in Morabadi with my girlfriend. I spent more than an hour on the top of thehill. There were more such groups from different corners of the city. When I came down, I could not start my bike when a local boy informed me that some one has stolen petrol from the bike,”said Mayur Singh.

Officer-in-charge of Jagannathpur police station Raj Kapoor, when informed about this illegal business, said he would take prompt action.