Kolkata: Following the state government's order that made use of masks mandatory, petrol pumps across the state will ensure "no masks, no fuel" from Thursday.
Though at present the sale of fuel has dropped to only about five per cent from that of the usual time, the step has been taken to create awareness among people about the benefits of using masks during the pandemic.
There are around 3,000 petrol pumps across the state. West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association wrote to owners of all fuel refilling centres urging them to ensure that no fuel is given if any person comes in with his or her vehicle without wearing a mask.
Owners of refuelling stations were urged to put up display boards with "no mask, no fuel" written on it at their petrol pumps.
A similar move was first taken three years ago when "no helmet, no fuel" board was put up at all petrol pumps. The move came after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had launched the statewide "safe drive save life" campaign to curb road accidents in Bengal. It along with massive raids by the police had ensured the use of a helmet while riding two-wheeler even in rural parts of the state.
Though lesser in number, people mainly drivers of trucks
transporting essential commo-dities and vehicles for emergency services keep visiting fuel refilling stations.
"We wrote to all petrol pump owners in this regard considering the move will help in creating awareness about the necessity of using masks while stepping out of their houses," said the president of the association Tushar Kanti Sen, adding that workers at the petrol pumps will inform people that their mouth and nose "should be covered by masks or any other available piece of cloth which may even include a properly folded or rolled dupatta, gamcha, handkerchief or any such material that acts as a protective cover".