As diesel-guzzling tractors plough fields in sowing season, Telangana’s women-managed filling station estimate fuel sale to increase

Women-managed petrol pump in Telangana's Narayanpet anticipates increased diesel sales during crop sowing season.

As the crop sowing season begins in Telangana, employees at the State’s first women managed petrol pump in Narayanpet hope to sell more diesel in the coming months. Various vehicles including tractors, which need diesel, are used to level lands, plough fields and other agriculture related works. 

Members of the Zilla Mahila Samakhya (ZMS) in the district - who have set up the fuel station - and the officials said that usually, around 4,000 to 5,000 litres of diesel is sold in a day. They sold 13,000 litres of diesel in a day last week as farmers started to take up sowing due to early monsoon.

Sowing of rain fed crops (like Cotton, Green Gram) in June and next month will be followed by water intensive crops like Paddy. The District Rural Development Officer Mogulappa said that they expect the demand for diesel to continue. 

Narayanpet ZMS president Chandrakala Kotakonda said people trust that the fuel sold at the pump is pure, as it is perceived as a government petrol pump. They chose to wait even if there was a long queue rather than opt for another pump. The establishment is located on the main road in the district. 

“Since people have to wait longer when a tanker pumps fuel at our station, they have asked us to schedule this activity in the night so that they do not have to wait,” said Ms. Chandrakala. 

When the petrol pump was inaugurated in February this year, it was informed that estimated profit of ₹50 lakh per annum would be utilised by the Samakhya to support women self-help group led enterprises in the district. Of around 10 employees, six are women. They started to receive salaries of ₹11,000 per month.

Since demand for various forms of fuel sold there is soaring, they are also planning to add Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the establishment.