Bhubaneswar, Aug 2: The Odisha government has banned the sale, transport, and storage of petrol and diesel in plastic bottles and unauthorised containers across the state.

The Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has issued a formal letter to all district collectors, instructing them to:
- Enforce the ban strictly
- Conduct surprise inspections at fuel stations and roadside vendors
- Take punitive action against violators
- Submit monthly reports detailing enforcement activities

The decision follows disturbing incidents involving the misuse of fuel stored in plastic bottles, including self-immolation cases in Balasore, arson attacks in Puri targeting minors.

Plastic bottles, being highly flammable and prone to leakage, pose serious risks to life and property.

Despite existing laws under the Petroleum Act, Explosives Act, and Environment Protection Act, illegal fuel sales in plastic containers were reported across several districts.

Odisha's Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra chaired a high-level meeting with petroleum sector stakeholders, emphasising that: “Strict action will be taken against roadside vendors and petrol pumps selling fuel in plastic bottles. Public safety cannot be compromised.”

The government is also working on new guidelines to ensure safe fuel distribution for farmers, boat operators, and machinery users who require small quantities of petrol or diesel.

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