Gurgaon: Petrol pumps, CNG stations with rent dues face closure

25-30 fuel stations had failed to renew their lease agreements with the Huda

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) has warned petrol pumps and CNG (compressed natural gas) stations to immediately clear the dues they owe the authority to avoid being sealed.

Gurgaon has 135 petrol pumps and 14 CNG stations. (Rahul Grover/HT PHOTO)

Huda allots land to petrol pump and CNG station owners on lease for 15 years against a nominal annual fee. After expiry of lease agreement, it is mandatory for owners to renew the agreement. Gurgaon has 135 petrol pumps and 14 CNG stations.

The Huda defaulters’ list includes nearly 25 to 30 stations. According to the Huda norms, timely payment of rent as well as renewal of lease agreements are mandatory.

A senior Huda official said petrol pumps and CNG stations have been asked to clear their dues before July 15.

“Also, they must renew their lease once it expires. There are several petrol pumps that are running even after the expiry of lease agreement in Gurgaon and they will all be sealed if they do not remit their dues and follow the norms,” said Vivek Kalia, estate officer Huda-II.

The petrol pump and CNG station owners pay their rent annually.

“Three months have passed since the new financial year began, but many have not paid the rent amount,” said the estate officer, adding that the sealing drive would begin after the expiry of notice period on July 15.

When asked, a senior executive of the Haryana City Gas Corporation Limited, which runs all CNG stations in Gurgaon claimed they have cleared all their dues.

Read I Gurgaon gets new CNG station in Sector 52

“We will check about the pending dues. We always try to pay the lease on time,” said the executive, wishing not to be named.

In case the sealing drive begins and pumps are closed, a chaos would ensue with commuters have fewer station to tank up from.

In April 2013, Huda had sealed four petrol pumps in the city for non-payment of rent as per the land lease agreement. The pumps owed together nearly Rs 7 crore to Huda. Huda had later de-sealed two petrol pumps at Sector 9-A and the other at Sector 37-2 after the operator deposited partial amount of outstanding rent.