Mumbai looks at petrol-less future

There are 16 lakh motor cars,55,000 taxis and over one lakh autorickshaws plying in the city and due to shortage of petrol pumps,the vehicles may have to go to far off places in suburbs to buy petrol,the petition said.

The petition supported a Government notification of December 3,2009,which seeks to protect the petrol pumps from shifting elsewhere.

Counsel for dealers association Ashotosh Kumbhkoni prayed for dismissal of another petition filed by Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association,a body representing dealers who are also owners of land which seeks to challenge this notification.

The notification was introduced by the Maharashtra Government due to an amendment in Bombay Rent Act which allows landlords to evict tenants. The amendment removed protection granted to tenants and accordingly landlords in the city have started asking petrol pumps in upscale areas to move away.

The notification provides that the user of the land would not be changed. Hence landlords would have to retain land for petrol pumps only and would not be able to sell or lease land for any other purpose.

The Petrol Dealers Association opposed the petition filed by Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association saying the federation has no locus standi as the Government decision supports petrol pump operators.

Justice Ranjana Desai asked Advocate General Ravi Kadam to assist in the matter and submit arguments in the next hearing.