Cheaper fuel-Keralites visit K’taka border towns

Ullal/Vittal/Jalsoor: The lower priced petrol and diesel available in the state is attracting scores of Kerala registered vehicles who fill fuel from the fuel stations in Karnataka state and thereby saving their money. This situation has been witnessed at Talapady, Vittal and Jalsoor in Sullia. Talapady lies on the border of the two states and apparently, the bunks on the Kerala side of the national highway passing through here are facing a want for consumers while at the same time, the bunks on lower side of Karnataka are doing very good business.

It has been witnessed that since the price is lower here, vehicles from Kerala are coming line to fill petrol and diesel from here. Vehicles have been seen filling fuel at the petrol bunk at Someshwar Uchila and at the service centre at lower Talapady in the border area.  

Fluctuations in business

Earlier, the petrol pump on the upper Talapady on the Kerala side used to sell 3-4,000 liters of diesel per day, but now its sale is limited to 1,000 liters per day, inform the pump’s staff. The business had fallen drastically in a span of 48 hours. It can be observed that the various private buses that ply to different locations in Kerala via Talapady road can be seen standing I line to fill diesel from the fuel stations on Karnataka’s side. In the span of 2 days, the business has increased and close to 2,000 liters of diesel has been sold additionally, inform the staff.

Good business in Vittal too

 The business in the nearby petrol bunks has also increased. It can be seen that tippers and other vehicles from Kerala inclined to the pumps here. On Wednesday, there was 30% increase in the business at a petrol pump in Kuppepadavu by evening 6 pm and by the night, the business only further increased, inform the bunk’s staff. Vehicles from Kerala leave only with a full tank. Perla in Kerala is only at a distance of 15 kms and there are no fuel stations along this route. Thus, Keralites gladly depend on this fuel station.

The difference, Rs 2.93 for petrol, Rs 5.07 for Diesel

The price for petrol and diesel at upper Talapady on Kerala’s side is Rs 85.22 and Rs 78.80 respectively, while the price for the same at lower Talpady on Karnataka’s side is Rs 82.29 and Rs 73.73 respectively. Thus, consumers for Kerala make a saving of Rs 2.93 and Rs 5.07 respectively.

Flip in the situation

A few years back, the fuel prices were lower on the Kerala side in comparison to Karnataka. Then the difference in prices was Rs 5 and Rs 4 for petrol and diesel respectively. In the following years, the prices steadily increased and by the night of September 18^th, the prices were equal in either state. IT was slightly more on Kerala’s side. Now the situation is upside down, with the prices being lower in Karnataka.

It is true that there are more vehicles coming from Kerala to our petrol pump. By 10:30 pm in the night, the pace of the business may further increase. Since our petrol pump is only a few kilometers from Adkasthala, consumers from that area too might come, said the Kuppepadavu petrol pump owner.

Increase in Jalsoor

There is an increase in the number of consumers coming from Kerala to fill fuel at the petrol pumps in Jalsoor which lies on the Karnataka-Kerala border. Those coming from Kasaragod towards Sullia and those going towards Kerala from here fill fuel from Jalsoor itself. It can also be seen that JCB’s and tippers buying fuels by filling them in cans. Normally, two wheelers, cars and jeeps going from Sullia to Kanachur, Adoor, Kotyada, Galimukha get their fuel from the petrol bunk in Jalsoor.