Fuel outlet to be exclusively run by convicts coming up in Tiruchi

A petrol outlet managed by convicts near Tiruchi Central Prison, part of reformation initiative by Tamil Nadu Prison Department.

A petrol outlet to be run and managed exclusively by a team of convicts is coming up at the entrance leading to the Central Prison in Tiruchi. Works on establishing the retail outlet along the Tiruchi - Pudukottai national highway are currently under way on a huge piece of land belonging to the Tamil Nadu Prison Department.

This will be the second such fuel outlet to come up in Tiruchi after a similar outlet became operational in August 2024 in front of the Special Prison for Women near the busy Gandhi Market in the city.

The new fuel outlet is being established by the Tamil Nadu Prison Department in association with the public sector Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The outlet at Tiruchi is coming up under phase - II of the Prison Department’s initiative. 

Prison authorities said works on establishing the outlet was progressing swiftly at the location along the national highway. The authorities expect the entire works to be completed in a month. 

A team of convicts accommodated at the Tiruchi Central Prison would be imparted necessary training by the IOCL in operating and managing the outlet round-the-clock. Convicts with good conduct would be identified and engaged for running the outlet, the authorities added.

Wages for the convicts engaged for running the outlet would be deposited in their respective bank accounts. The establishment of fuel outlets is aimed at benefiting the general public and as a reformation and rehabilitation measure for the convicts.

Similar outlets set up under phase I in association with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited have been functioning at Pudukottai, Chennai, Vellore, Coimbatore and Palayamkottai.