Lok Sabha Question No. 3220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: Losses Due to ATF Thefts
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3220 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 th  AUGUST, 2025

## Losses Due to ATF Thefts

## 3220. Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that despite investing crores in digital locks, GPS Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) and real-time alert systems, Officers at OMCs terminals failed to act on significant alerts where a tanker reached Hadapsar, Pune instead of Mumbai pending action for over 570 days, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon;
- (b) whether the ATF thefts have resulted in any arrests or suspension of officers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  tankers  deviate  and  conduct  fuel  theft  using  hidden  compartments  without  the knowledge or complicity of terminal officials and if so, the details and the facts thereof;
- (d) the details of the product which was supplied in place of the stolen ATF; and
- (e) whether destination airports conducted quality checks on the fuel delivered and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी ( ᮰ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to  (e):  A case  was  registered  on  08.04.2023 at  Hadapsar Police  Station, Pune involving two  Tank  Lorries  of  Hindustan  Petroleum  Corporation  Limited  (HPCL)  carrying  Aviation Turbine  Fuel  (ATF),  loaded  from  HPCL  Vashi  Terminal  at  Navi  Mumbai  and  other  Tank Lorry  of  Indian  Oil  Corporation  Limited  (IOCL)  in  empty  state  with  tampered  locking arrangement. Both HPCL and IOCL have taken action against the concerned transporters in accordance with Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG), including blacklisting of the  tank  trucks/lorries  on  an  industry  basis  and  imposition  of  monetary  penalty.  Further, HPCL has issued caution letter on 27.03.2024 to the Manager-Operations and the Operations Officer of the supply location, considering lapses on their part in monitoring Vehicle Tracking System (VTS).

Public  Sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  have  well  laid  down  Standard  Operating Procedure  (SOP)  for  safe  and  secure  transportation  of  fuel.  Following  additional  measures have been taken by PSU OMCs for safe and secure transportation of fuel:

-  ITDG Revision: The Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG) was revised on 01.11.2024  with  better  clarity  on  penalties  for  pilferage  and  short  delivery.  Further additional  clauses  were  incorporated  to  address  malpractices  like  non-  delivery  and diversion of products to other entities.
-  Monitoring of unauthorized stoppages: The latitude and longitude along with geofenced area of  suspected  points  are  identified  through  VTS  system.  Tank  Truck  (TT) movements  are  continuously  monitored  through  the  VTS  to  detect  any  stoppages  at such  locations  and  if  detected,  the  VTS  data  is  then  scrutinized  by  the  Location  and action as per ITDG are taken.
-  Sensitizing  Locations:  Incidents  of  established  pilferage  are  shared  with  Locations  to monitor similar patterns of the TTs for identification of potential malpractices.

As per the agreement between PSU OMCs and the transporter, the transporter is responsible for maintaining the quality and quantity of the product being transported. In the event of any deviation  in  quantity  or  quality,  the  entire  loss/cost  is  to  be  borne  by  the  transporter concerned.  The  contracted  Tank  Trucks  are  continuously  monitored  for  any  deviation  and action is taken in accordance with ITDG in established cases of deviations.

The  ATF  receiving  locations  at  the  airport  conduct  quality  checks,  including  density, appearance  and  water  content,  prior  to  acceptance.  These  checks  are  carried  out  in  strict compliance  with  the  procedures  specified  in  the  Aviation  Quality  Control  and  Assurance Manual (AQCAM).

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