Pune petrol dealers say HPCL held back fuel loads despite payment, fear Diwali shortage

Pune, November 7, 2026: Loads of petroleum products meant for some Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) dealers in Pune have been stopped. The Petrol Dealers Association Pune (PDAP) has strongly objected. The association says this happened even though the dealers had paid through SBI eDFS and SBI's banking portal and had submitted valid proof of the transactions to the officials concerned.

According to the association, the problem arose because the money paid does not show in HPCL's accounts. The reason is said to be either banking delays or difficulties in the internal payment reconciliation process. PDAP's position is that dealers who have already paid through official banking channels cannot be held responsible for such technical problems, and their fuel supply cannot be stopped.

Demand for fuel is high during Diwali, which makes the situation particularly worrying. Many petrol pumps risk running out of stock, which could inconvenience customers.

Dhruv Ruparel, president of the Petrol Dealers Association Pune, said: "It is unacceptable that dealers who have paid through official banking channels are being refused supplies because of technical problems in matching payments. After verifiable proof of the transactions has been submitted, HPCL should act responsibly and release the loads without delay. Dealers should not have to suffer because of delays in the company's internal system or at the bank, especially during a major festival. This has caused great unrest among dealers, and an urgent solution is necessary."

PDAP has taken the matter to the HPCL chairman, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and Murlidhar Mohol, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation. It has asked them to intervene so that all eligible loads are released immediately on the basis of the verified SBI payment proofs.

The association has also demanded that the depots in Pune be kept open on Sunday to clear pending indents and avoid further fuel shortages at petrol pumps.

PDAP has noted that avoidable supply disruptions can damage dealers' reputation and erode customer trust. The association's position is that customers should not have to face a fuel shortage because of internal payment reconciliation problems between the oil marketing company and banking institutions.

"Money that has been paid must be honoured. Technical delays must not create a fuel shortage," the association said.