Empowered Women Fueling Change: Telangana’s Filling Station Sees Surge in Diesel Sales as Tractors Plow for a Bountiful Sowing Season

In Telangana’s Narayanpet, the first women-managed petrol pump is becoming a beacon of trust and community support, particularly as the crop sowing season commences. Locals are choosing to wait in long queues at this station rather than visit alternative fuel outlets, highlighting the burgeoning reliance on this unique establishment. The petrol pump, run by members of the Zilla Mahila Samakhya (ZMS), has seen a significant increase in diesel sales recently, surpassing its usual daily figures of 4,000 to 5,000 litres. Last week, as farmers began sowing crops in response to early monsoon rains, the station recorded a remarkable sale of 13,000 litres of diesel in just one day.

This influx in sales is attributed to the needs of farmers who utilize diesel for various agricultural tasks such as leveling land and ploughing fields. District Rural Development Officer Mogulappa has noted that the demand for diesel is expected to rise further as farmers embark on sowing rain-fed crops like cotton and green gram in June, followed by water-intensive crops such as paddy in the coming month.

Chandrakala Kotakonda, president of the Narayanpet ZMS, emphasized the community’s trust in the fuel quality provided at their station, which is perceived as a reliable government-run outlet. She shared that customers often prefer to endure longer wait times when the tanker is delivering fuel, rather than seek alternative options. In response to this demand, the team is considering scheduling fuel deliveries at night to alleviate customer wait times.

The petrol pump, inaugurated in February of this year, is expected to generate a profit of ₹50 lakh annually. These funds will support women-led self-help group enterprises in the district. Currently, the station employs around ten workers, of which six are women, and they receive a monthly salary of ₹11,000. Due to the growing demand for fuel, the ZMS is also exploring the addition of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to their offerings.

In a parallel development, a new women-managed petrol pump was recently launched in Sangareddy, drawing further attention to this innovative initiative. Collector Kranthi Valluru inspected the station during its trial sale, noting the employment of 14 staff members, including two managers and twelve operators. The additional district rural development officer, Kota Jangareddy, was also present for the occasion.

The establishment of these women-managed petrol pumps is not just a triumph of entrepreneurship but also a significant step towards empowerment in a region where women are increasingly taking on leadership roles. As fuel demand continues to increase in Telangana, these facilities are set to become key players in supporting both local communities and the agricultural economy. The commitment of Zilla Mahila Samakhya to ensure quality and accessibility of fuel underscores the ongoing shift towards sustainable practices and empowerment in Telangana, making them a model worth emulating across the region.

This growing trend of women-managed fuel stations invites admiration and recognition, showcasing how community-driven initiatives can uplift local economies, foster trust, and empower women in traditionally male-dominated industries. As demand grows, these stations are poised to play a crucial role in supporting the agricultural backbone of Telangana.

Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/as-diesel-guzzling-tractors-plough-fields-in-sowing-season-telanganas-women-managed-filling-station-estimate-fuel-sale-to-increase/article69675738.ece
Category : Telangana
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Publish Date: 2025-06-10 14:26:00