Thane societies face diesel supply crisis

Thane: The recent restrictions by the Thane district administration on sale of fuel in containers are pushing large housing societies in Thane into crisis situations, which fear their diesel-powered backup generators will run dry, especially in the wake of frequent power cuts and during the monsoon.

A Thane pump owner said the sale of fuel in any mode other than vehicles was barred, forcing societies to take steps to maximise fuel.

“Our society's gensets have limited capacity. We face problems in getting diesel, and if the situation continues, we will be forced to curtail lift operations,” said Kunal Mohite, office-bearer of a Ghodbunder-based complex.

Ravi Singh, facility manager with 25 complexes, said societies were now pooling requirements and collectively hiring tankers. “Each trip roughly costs an additional Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per society,” he said.

Thane Collector Shrikrishna Panchal said instructions were issued to ensure housing societies are given their required volume of diesel based on their demand letter. Operators need to maintain records of such transactions, he said.