IOC's move to divert distribution from Tiruchi draws flak

Modernisation has its effect. A case in point is the Chennai-Tiruchi-Madurai petroleum product pipeline, which is economically beneficial for Indian Oil Corporation but has its effect on the tanker operators who have been carrying petroleum products for many years.

It is a 526-km-long pipeline from Chennai to Madurai, and a 157-km-branch pipeline to Sankari. At Asanur, one pipeline is diverted to Tiruchi for distribution of petrol to bunks in the region. There is a 20-30 per cent saving for the corporation by transporting products through pipeline than by road, said on official of the corporation on conditions of anonymity.

However, since Saturday evening, tanker operators stopped carrying petrol from the corporation's Korukkupet Bulk Petroleum Terminal in North Chennai. This is to protest against the corporation's recent decision to divert the distribution from Tiruchi. For nearly three decades they have been transporting the product to places such as Kalakuruchi, Ulundurpet, Vridachalam and Neyveli in Tamil Nadu's southern districts. “Our livelihood was affected because of the diversion,” said Mr G. Punyakodi, a tanker owner. There are nearly 1,500 employees dependent on this transportation, he said.

There are nearly 450 vehicles that transport products from Korukkupet to various locations. Two groups are involved in the transportation. The tankers belonging to striking group, which is represented by the Chennai Petroleum Tanker Lorry Owners' Association, is outsourced by the corporation to transport to petrol stations. In the last three days, nearly 200 vehicles belonging to this group were parked outside the terminal, said Mr Punyakodi, who was watching television sitting inside the association's small room located opposite the Korukkupet terminal.

In the other group, which is represented by the Chennai Regional India Oil Dealers' Association, the vehicles are owned by petrol station owners. These vehicles continued to operate but in limited numbers as members of the other association did not allow the drivers to operate the vehicles, said the association's Hony Secretary, Mr K. Suresh Kumar. Each group has a 50 per cent share in transportation, he said.

Mr K. Venu, Secretary of the striking association said the corporation entered in to a three year-contract with the operators with a commitment that every month each vehicle needs to ply 6,000 km. For this, the payment was Rs 1.5 lakh. However, the corporation recently halved this stating they are going to use Tiruchi as a distribution point. “This has brought our earnings to half, which is impossible to meet our monthly expenses,” he said.

However, Mr Venu's point was disputed by an official of the corporation who was not authorised to speak to the media. There is no such commitment in the agreement. It is purely their imagination, he said.

The strike, which affected distribution of petrol, was called off on Tuesday evening. At a meeting, the corporation's officials told the agitating members to first start operating the vehicles and then come for further discussion on the issue, said an official who was in the meeting on conditions of anonymity.

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