Indian Oil Corporation, the leading oil marketing company in the country, has begun delivering fuel through mobile dispensers in Chennai. This makes it the first OMC to initiate such a delivery mechanism in South India.

The 'Fuel@Doorstep' service was inaugurated by R Sitharthan, executive director and state head for Indian Oil (Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry) for delivering fuel through mobile dispensers, in the presence of V Gopalakrishnan, CGM - retail sales and state retail sales head of Indian Oil for Tamil Nadu, and other senior officials from the OMC.

The fuel delivery vehicle, fitted with a mobile dispenser and 6,000-litre fuel tank, was flagged off at the inaugural event held at the Indian Oil Petrol Pump in Kolathur, Chennai. At present, industrial and bulk customers, who require fuel (diesel), have to visit the nearest retail outlet to fill in containers/barrels. The new initiative aims to make the process convenient for customers to get fuel delivered at their doorstep.

The flag-off of the mobile fuel dispenser in Chennai.

The service aims to ensure hassle-free supply of fuel to end users and also avoid unnecessary fuel spillage, unsafe handling of fuel in containers/barrels and also pilferage.

According to Indian Oil, to avail this service, a customer can place an order through a mobile app (Repose app) for a minimum order of 200 litres. For orders exceeding 2,500 litres, the customer would need to have a PESO license for storage.

Once the customer places his order, the fuel would reach the concerned Indian Oil dealer with complete details of the customer (name, cellphone number, quantity required, address and time of delivery).

After receiving the receipt of the order from the customer, the mobile dispenser will reach the destination and the dispensing would commence through  automation in the designated location (geo-fenced area). The fuel dispenser is equipped with fire extinguishers and safety cones among others for demarcation of the delivery area.

Once the ordered quantity is dispensed, the customer will get an SMS and e-bill on his/her cellphone. For assurance, the quantity check of the mobile dispenser nozzle can be verified through the calibrated five-litre conical measure, available in the vehicle.