Three Years After Inauguration, Petroleum Dealers Seek Opening of Devanagundhi Tanker Calibration Tower
Bengaluru: Three years after a government tank-lorry calibration tower was inaugurated at Devanagundhi in Bengaluru Rural district, a petroleum dealers’ association has sought the Karnataka government’s intervention to make the facility available for regular recalibration of tankers serving Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
The Namma IndianOil Petroleum Dealers Association (NIPDA), Greater Bengaluru, has written to the Karnataka Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology seeking a personal visit to the Devanagundhi facility and a definite, time-bound date for its operationalisation.
The association said the Legal Metrology Department’s tank-lorry calibration tower at Devanagundhi in Hoskote taluk was inaugurated on September 25, 2023, along with an office building housing Working Standard and Secondary Standard laboratories.
September 25, 2026 marks exactly three years since that inauguration.
However, according to NIPDA and feedback it says it has received from its members, the departmental tower is still not available for regular recalibration of tankers serving the three major Oil Marketing Companies.
“Three years is a long wait for an inaugurated public facility to become available for its intended purpose,” the association said in its representation.
Dealers Say Tankers Remain Dependent on OMC Terminal Facilities
According to NIPDA, the continued non-availability of the departmental tower has left petroleum dealers, transporters and tanker drivers dependent on calibration facilities at OMC terminals.
The association has asked the government to examine how calibration is currently being carried out at these terminals and clarify the respective roles of the OMCs and the Legal Metrology Department.
Based on feedback received from dealers and tanker drivers, NIPDA said practical calibration work at the terminals is carried out by OMC calibration teams.
Members have reported paying charges for the OMC calibration service in addition to the prescribed verification and stamping fees payable to the Karnataka government, the association said.
NIPDA has therefore sought official clarification on the different charges, which authorities or entities receive the payments and precisely what services each payment covers.
The association has also asked for transparent payment arrangements, publication of applicable charges and official receipts for every fee collected.
Questions Raised Over Officer Availability and Supervision
The representation also raises concerns about the availability of Legal Metrology officials during the calibration process.
According to feedback cited by NIPDA, a regular Assistant Controller is not available throughout the calibration procedure and official visits presently take place mainly on Tuesdays.
Members have expressed concern that dip rods are verified and stamped after calibration work undertaken by OMC teams, without the concerned officer remaining present to check and supervise the complete tanker calibration process from beginning to end.
These are concerns reported by the association on the basis of feedback from its members and tanker drivers.
NIPDA has asked the department to examine the reports and ensure adequate staffing, regular availability of officers and complete documented verification.
The association said limited official availability leads to scheduling difficulties, prolonged waiting and loss of productive time for tanker drivers, transporters and petroleum dealers.
Complete Calibration Process Should Be Documented: NIPDA
The dealers’ body has called for proper supervision and documented verification of the entire tanker calibration procedure.
Its representation specifically seeks verification covering tanker compartments, dip rods, sealing and certification.
NIPDA wants sufficient officers and trained personnel deployed at the facility, along with regular working days and a clearly published calibration schedule.
The demand is aimed at creating a predictable system under which tanker operators and petroleum dealers know when the facility is available and what procedures, payments and documentation are required.
Association Invites Minister to Meet Tanker Drivers
Rather than limiting its request to departmental correspondence, NIPDA has urged the minister to personally inspect the Devanagundhi calibration tower.
It has requested the minister to interact directly with tanker drivers serving IOCL, BPCL and HPCL to understand the difficulties they say they face in obtaining timely recalibration.
The association has asked the government to inform it in advance if the minister decides to visit.
NIPDA said its dealer representatives would join the minister at the site along with the concerned tanker drivers and transporters to explain their practical difficulties and help work towards a solution.
Five Specific Outcomes Sought
NIPDA has asked the Karnataka government to ensure that the proposed intervention results in five specific outcomes.
First, it wants a definite and time-bound date for opening the Devanagundhi departmental calibration tower for regular use by tankers serving IOCL, BPCL and HPCL.
Second, the association has sought deployment of sufficient officers and trained personnel, regular working days and publication of a clear calibration schedule.
Third, it wants proper supervision and documented verification of the complete calibration process, including tanker compartments, dip rods, sealing and certification.
Fourth, NIPDA has sought transparent payment arrangements, with all applicable charges publicly specified and official receipts issued for every fee.
Fifth, it has called for a coordinated review involving the Legal Metrology Department, the three OMCs, tanker drivers, transporters and petroleum dealer representatives to reduce waiting time and clear pending requirements.
Facility Inaugurated on September 25, 2023
NIPDA has attached photographs of the calibration tower, its inauguration ceremony and the inauguration display dated September 25, 2023 to its representation.
The association’s central contention is that a public facility inaugurated three years ago should now be made available for the purpose for which it was established.
It has appealed to the minister to resolve what it described as a longstanding issue and provide relief to tanker drivers, transporters and the petroleum dealer fraternity.
Copies of the representation have also been marked to the Principal Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department; the Controller of the Legal Metrology Department; the concerned State Heads and Terminal Heads of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL; and the Head of Communications in the Chief Minister’s Office.
NIPDA said it is awaiting the minister’s visit and directions for early operationalisation of the Devanagundhi tank-lorry calibration tower.
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