Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, July 19: In a first for Karnataka after Telangana, nine grama panchayats in Udupi district are set to get Bharat Petroleum fuel stations, electric vehicle (EV) charging centres and Bharat Cafés along National and State Highways within the next year, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary announced.
The initiative is aimed at creating new revenue opportunities for local bodies while expanding fuel and mobility infrastructure in rural areas, the MP said after a meeting with Bharat Petroleum officials and district authorities in Udupi.
Centre sets six-month deadline for rollout
Poojary said Bharat Petroleum would establish petrol pumps, EV charging stations, CNG dispensing facilities and Bharat Cafés on highways passing through selected gram panchayats in the district.
"The Central government has set a target of making these facilities operational within six months," he said.
The outlets will be developed on land belonging to the respective grama panchayats. Bharat Petroleum will pay rent to the panchayats and also provide them with a commission from business transactions. This, Poojary said, would enhance the financial strength and administrative capabilities of local self-government institutions.
The panchayat-run fuel stations will offer petrol, diesel and other petroleum products, along with EV charging facilities and CNG distribution services, he added.
During the meeting, Poojary handed over land records of the identified panchayat sites to Bharat Petroleum officials and directed them to take up the project on priority.
The meeting was attended by Bharat Petroleum regional manager Vipin Das Vanshwal, Udupi Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Boyal, assistant secretary James D'Silva, Karkala Taluk Panchayat executive officer Prashanth M N, Udupi Taluk Panchayat executive officer Vijaya and other officials.
Describing the initiative as a significant step, Poojary told reporters that the plan to establish petrol pumps through grama panchayats was personally a matter of satisfaction for him.
Nine sites identified in first phase
In the first phase, sites have been identified at Mudradi, Belve and Albadi grama panchayats in Hebri taluk; Mudaru, Belmannu, Sanoor, Kukkandoor and Bailoor gram panchayats in Karkala taluk; and Tenkanidiyoor gram panchayat in Udupi taluk.
Surveys are currently under way in other taluks of the district, and steps will be taken to establish at least one panchayat-run petrol pump in every Assembly constituency, Poojary said.
The project is expected to provide grama panchayats with an additional source of income while bringing modern fuel, clean mobility and convenience facilities closer to rural communities across Udupi district.