07 December,2025 07:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Amarjeet Singh
Vehicle owners have to resort to unsafe options. PICS BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
As the countdown begins for operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) now expected to start from December 25, a crucial infrastructure gap looms large in Ulwe. Though the area is rapidly developing with an expanding population nearing 1.5-2 lakh, there is not a single authorised petrol pump in Ulwe, leaving residents dependent on risky and illegal alternatives.
Sanjay Yadav, Kuldeep Tiwari and Samarth Solanki
More than three years ago, the city-planning agency CIDCO had itself identified the need for fuel stations, but not a single pump has materialised. "We are running to Belapur or Kharghar just to fill petrol. When airport taxis and commuters begin rolling in, our daily journeys will become a nightmare without a nearby pump" says Sunny Pandey, a sales professional and resident of Sector-24.
Illegal sales mostly in bottles or cans have mushroomed. Some black-market sellers are reportedly charging as high as '125-130 per litre, compared to '103 to 104 at regular pumps. Residents say it is not just costlier, it's dangerous. "This isn't just a matter of convenience," warned Samarth Solanki, social activist and resident of Sector-18. "It's a ticking time bomb as storing petrol in kirana shops or homes invites tragedy," he added.
Sunny Pandey, resident of Sector-24
There is a chilling precedent to his fear. In a recent tragic incident, a family of four, lost their lives in a cylinder blast triggered by illegal petrol storage and handling in Ulwe. "They were forced into black sales and it destroyed a home," recalls Sanjay Yadav, a local resident and civic-watchdog.
Activist Kuldeep Tiwari laments that with NMIA and rising traffic poised to transform Ulwe into a major commuter hub, the absence of an authorised fuel station is not just inconvenient it's irresponsible. Despite several attempts, CIDCO officials could not be reached for comment.
