India has achieved a significant milestone in its energy infrastructure, with the total number of petrol pumps in the country now exceeding the 100,000 mark. This represents a doubling of the network since 2015, driven by aggressive expansion from state-owned fuel marketing companies.
Massive Expansion Driven by State Giants
According to the latest data from the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Oil, India had 1,00,266 operational fuel stations at the end of November. This phenomenal growth is primarily attributed to the strategic push by public sector oil marketing companies. These state-owned firms, which control over 90 per cent of the retail outlets, have been on an expansion spree to defend their market dominance and cater to rising demand.
Reaching Rural India and Highways
The expansion strategy has had a clear geographical focus. A key objective has been to push fuel access deeper into rural areas and along major highway corridors. This move aligns with the sustained boom in vehicle ownership across the country, ensuring that motorists have reliable refuelling options even in remote locations and on long-distance routes. The aggressive rollout of new pumps is a direct response to this growing mobility need.
India Joins Elite Global Ranking
With this achievement, India now boasts the third-largest petrol pump network in the world, trailing only the United States and China. This is a notable feat considering India's geographical size is much smaller than these two nations. The rapid scaling of infrastructure highlights the intensity of competition in the domestic fuel retail sector and the commitment to enhancing energy accessibility for all citizens.
The crossing of the 1-lakh outlet threshold marks a new chapter for India's energy landscape, setting the stage for even greater connectivity and convenience for the nation's ever-growing number of vehicle owners.
