Oiling an irony: India cuts fuel consumption, but filling stations rise

Though India is moving towards reducing fuel consumption, filling stations are set to become more ubiquitous

This July-end, the All India Petrol Dealers Association (AIPDA), which claims to represent around 50,000 of India’s 64,703 fuel outlets, is planning a massive meeting in Goa. The agenda: How to stay in business following India’s big bang fuel retail expansion.
 
Between them, the three oil marketing companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) — are in line to allot at least 78,493 new fuel retail outlets at an investment of approximately Rs 90,000 crore. Russian oil giant Rosneft-led Nayara Energy (NEL) may add 7,000 by 2020 and Reliance Industries