Around 30 vehicle owners have filed a police complaint after several vehicles broke down within hours of filling diesel from a fuel station in Morta between August 26 and 29. On Saturday, angry and disgruntled customers gathered at the Bajaj HP fuel station located near pillar number 609 and alleged that they were supplied with adulterated diesel, which caused severe damage to the engines of their vehicles.
The affected vehicles include expensive vehicles like the Kia Sonet, Kia Seltos, Mahindra Scorpio, Toyota Innova and Toyota Fortuner. The complainants say that due to the impurities present in the diesel, repairing each vehicle can cost up to Rs 3.5 lakh.
Sachin Tyagi explained that he had filled his tank on August 26 and was heading towards Raj Nagar Extension when his Kia Sonet failed to go beyond 40 kmph. The following day, the car wouldn’t start at all. At the showroom, he was informed that impurities in the diesel had clogged the fuel system, and the repairs would cost him Rs 3.5 lakh. He also noted that he had purchased 45 litres of diesel for Rs 3,951, with the fuel priced at Rs 87.8 per litre.
By Thursday, at least 29 aggrieved vehicle owners had united and protested. Times of India quoted a protester saying, “All of us had refuelled at the same station between Aug 26 and 29. The manager refused to accept responsibility, so we called the police. We will also move the consumer forum”. Locals feared that hundreds of cars and trucks had filled diesel from here during this period, due to which the extent of damage could be much more.
Mechanics working at authorised service centres have also confirmed the allegations that the engines of vehicles have been damaged due to impurities in the diesel. A Mahindra showroom mechanic told TOI, “The fuel filters were completely clogged and injectors ruined. Depending on the model, repairs could range between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh.”
