**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas addressed concerns regarding ATF thefts, raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3220, answered on August 7, 2025. The response details actions taken following a 2023 HPCL and IOCL case in Pune, including penalties for transporters, revisions to Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG) on November 1, 2024, and enhanced monitoring procedures. Airports conduct quality checks on delivered ATF in compliance with the Aviation Quality Control and Assurance Manual (AQCAM).
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Hadapsar Incident (April 8, 2023):**
* A case was registered involving two Tank Lorries (HPCL and IOCL) with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) and a tampered empty lorry.
* HPCL and IOCL took action against concerned transporters.
* **Actions Against Transporters:**
* Transporters were penalized per Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG).
* Tank trucks/lorries were blacklisted on an industry basis.
* Monetary penalties were imposed.
* **HPCL Internal Action:**
* A caution letter was issued on March 27, 2024, to the Manager-Operations and Operations Officer for monitoring lapses of the Vehicle Tracking System (VTS).
* **Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG) Revision (November 1, 2024):**
* ITDG was revised for clarity on penalties for pilferage and short delivery.
* Additional clauses were added to address malpractices like non-delivery and product diversion.
* **Enhanced Monitoring Measures:**
* Unauthorized stoppages are monitored using VTS, identifying latitude, longitude, and geofenced areas.
* Tank Truck (TT) movements are continuously monitored for stoppages at suspicious locations.
* VTS data is scrutinized, and action is taken per ITDG.
* **Communication and Responsibility:**
* Incidents of pilferage are shared with locations to monitor similar patterns.
* Transporters are responsible for maintaining product quality and quantity.
* Loss/cost due to deviations in quantity or quality is borne by the transporter.
* **Quality Checks at Airports:**
* ATF receiving locations conduct quality checks (density, appearance, water content) before acceptance.
* Checks are performed in compliance with the Aviation Quality Control and Assurance Manual (AQCAM).
**Impact Analysis:**
**HPCL and IOCL:**
* *Impact:* Required to enforce revised ITDG guidelines, monitor VTS data, and address any lapses in monitoring fuel transportation.
* *Action Required:* Implement the revised ITDG, ensure proper VTS monitoring, and address potential vulnerabilities in fuel transportation security.
**Transporters:**
* *Impact:* Subject to stricter monitoring, penalties for pilferage, and responsibility for maintaining product quality and quantity during transportation.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to revised ITDG guidelines, prevent unauthorized stoppages, and ensure product quality and quantity during transportation to avoid penalties.
**Airport Authorities:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for conducting quality checks on delivered ATF to ensure compliance with AQCAM standards.
* *Action Required:* Perform quality checks, including density, appearance, and water content, before accepting ATF deliveries, in compliance with AQCAM.
**Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs):**
* *Impact:* Required to implement additional measures for safe and secure transportation of fuel
* *Action Required:* Ensure that the measures outlined are followed, and that SOPs for transportation of fuel are in place.
Key Entities Referenced
Aviation Turbine Fuel ATF: A type of jet fuel mentioned as being stolen during transportation.
Hadapsar Police Station, Pune: The police station in Pune, Maharashtra where a case was registered regarding the theft of ATF.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited HPCL: One of the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) whose Tank Lorries were involved in the ATF theft case.
Vashi Terminal, Navi Mumbai: The terminal in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra from where the HPCL tankers carrying ATF were loaded.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited IOCL: Another Public Sector Oil Marketing Company (OMC) whose Tank Lorry was involved in the ATF theft case.
Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines ITDG: Guidelines followed by OMCs for transportation, used for taking action against transporters involved in theft and revised to address malpractices.
Vehicle Tracking System VTS: A system used to track tankers and monitor for deviations, unauthorized stoppages and potential malpractices.
Aviation Quality Control and Assurance Manual AQCAM: Manual specifying procedures for quality checks conducted on fuel delivered to airports.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3220
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07th AUGUST, 2025
Losses Due to ATF Thefts
3220. Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe:
पे(cid:7069)ोिलयम और (cid:7079)ाकृितक गसै म(cid:7074)ं ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that despite investing crores in digital locks, GPS Vehicle
Tracking System (VTS) and real-time alert systems, Officers at OMCs terminals failed to
act on significant alerts where a tanker reached Hadapsar, Pune instead of Mumbai pending
action for over 570 days, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon;
(b) whether the ATF thefts have resulted in any arrests or suspension of officers and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether tankers deviate and conduct fuel theft using hidden compartments without the
knowledge or complicity of terminal officials and if so, the details and the facts thereof;
(d) the details of the product which was supplied in place of the stolen ATF; and
(e) whether destination airports conducted quality checks on the fuel delivered and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
प(cid:7069)े ोिलयम और (cid:7079)ाकृितक गसै म(cid:7074)ं ालय म (cid:7286)रा(cid:6996)य म(cid:7074)ं ी
((cid:7088)ी सरु ेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (e): A case was registered on 08.04.2023 at Hadapsar Police Station, Pune involving
two Tank Lorries of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) carrying Aviation
Turbine Fuel (ATF), loaded from HPCL Vashi Terminal at Navi Mumbai and other Tank
Lorry of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) in empty state with tampered locking
arrangement. Both HPCL and IOCL have taken action against the concerned transporters in
accordance with Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG), including blacklisting of
the tank trucks/lorries on an industry basis and imposition of monetary penalty. Further,
HPCL has issued caution letter on 27.03.2024 to the Manager-Operations and the Operations
Officer of the supply location, considering lapses on their part in monitoring Vehicle Tracking
System (VTS).
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have well laid down Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for safe and secure transportation of fuel. Following additional measures
have been taken by PSU OMCs for safe and secure transportation of fuel:
ITDG Revision: The Industry Transport Discipline Guidelines (ITDG) was revised on
01.11.2024 with better clarity on penalties for pilferage and short delivery. Further
additional clauses were incorporated to address malpractices like non- delivery and
diversion of products to other entities. Monitoring of unauthorized stoppages: The latitude and longitude along with geofenced
area of suspected points are identified through VTS system. Tank Truck (TT)
movements are continuously monitored through the VTS to detect any stoppages at
such locations and if detected, the VTS data is then scrutinized by the Location and
action as per ITDG are taken.
Sensitizing Locations: Incidents of established pilferage are shared with Locations to
monitor similar patterns of the TTs for identification of potential malpractices.
As per the agreement between PSU OMCs and the transporter, the transporter is responsible
for maintaining the quality and quantity of the product being transported. In the event of any
deviation in quantity or quality, the entire loss/cost is to be borne by the transporter
concerned. The contracted Tank Trucks are continuously monitored for any deviation and
action is taken in accordance with ITDG in established cases of deviations.
The ATF receiving locations at the airport conduct quality checks, including density,
appearance and water content, prior to acceptance. These checks are carried out in strict
compliance with the procedures specified in the Aviation Quality Control and Assurance
Manual (AQCAM).
*****