Karnataka Tightens Petrol Bunk Rules: Here’s How Much Fuel You Can Actually Buy

The Karnataka Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has tightened fuel distribution rules for petrol bunks across the state following confusion over alleged fuel rationing in parts of north Karnataka.

While several fuel station owners clarified that there is no official fuel shortage or restriction on regular vehicle refuelling, the government has directed all petrol bunks to strictly follow long-standing fuel sale regulations, especially regarding bulk purchases and fuel storage containers.

The latest instructions, issued on May 8, warn petrol bunk operators that repeated violations could lead to cancellation of licences.

What Petrol Bunks In Karnataka Can Do

According to the department's directions and existing 2002 fuel distribution guidelines, petrol bunks are allowed to:

Fill fuel directly into vehicle fuel tanks
Supply approved quantities through authorised retail operations
Continue regular fuel sales to motorists without daily rationing in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru
Dispense fuel through authorised direct sales or depot systems for bulk commercial requirements

Officials and fuel dealers in Bengaluru and Mysuru said regular customers can continue refuelling vehicles normally as there are currently no official restrictions on standard fuel purchases for personal use.

What Petrol Bunks Cannot Do

The department has clearly instructed petrol bunks not to:

Fill petrol or diesel into bottles
Dispense fuel into plastic cans or unauthorised containers
Supply loose fuel casually outside approved systems
Sell more than 200 litres at a time through regular retail outlets

Authorities said large-volume fuel transactions should happen only through authorised depots or approved direct sales channels.

Why Karnataka Tightened Petrol Bunk Rules

The move comes after reports from parts of north Karnataka, especially Hubballi, triggered confusion among motorists over possible fuel rationing.

Some fuel station operators claimed they had verbally been advised to limit fuel sales to around 25 litres for cars and 150 litres for trucks or commercial vehicles. However, several other petrol bunk owners said no written instructions regarding fuel rationing had been issued.

Despite the confusion, many fuel stations reported normal operations and said customers were continuing to receive fuel without quantity checks for routine vehicle use.

However, workers across multiple outlets confirmed that people carrying bottles, cans and loose containers were being denied fuel due to the latest safety-focused restrictions.

Bengaluru, Mysuru Fuel Supply Remains Normal

In Bengaluru, there were no signs of fuel rationing being implemented. Ravi Kumar, a petrol bunk operator in Bilekahalli, said city outlets had not received instructions restricting fuel quantities for individual vehicles.

A similar situation was reported in Mysuru, where Federation of Mysore Petroleum Traders president Shashikala Nagaraj stated that fuel sales were continuing normally and that the only restriction currently being enforced involved filling bottles and cans.

The Karnataka government has maintained that the tightened rules are primarily aimed at ensuring safety, regulating bulk fuel movement and preventing misuse of fuel sales systems rather than introducing public fuel rationing.