THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the private pumps stopped supplying fuel due to uncleared arrears of more than Rs 1 crore, the fire force vehicles of the state, are now stranded. This is arrears over six months. Letters have been issued from the Fire Force Directorate, but till now no favorable decision has been taken by the Finance Department for allocating the amount.

If not resolved immediately, the vehicular movement will come to a complete halt by the end of this week. Only unavoidable cases are attended. Most of the fuel stored in fire stations for emergency situations was used in the last few days. It was over in many places by yesterday.

There are 129 fire stations in the state. Stations in Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kannur districts are in dire straits. Vehicles at fire stations and headquarters are refueled from private pumps. Earlier, the finance department used to sanction each month's fuel bill amount exactly in the next month. After January, it was made every two months as the state was in dire financial straits. It was also not fully provided which led to the arrears.

Rs 8 lakhs per pump

Fire force stations in urban areas have uncleared arrears of Rs 5 to 8 lakhs per pumps and in rural areas this is between Rs 1.5 to 3 lakhs. A week ago, the pump owners had informed the authorities that it is not possible to supply fuel. The demand was that the petroleum companies would not supply fuel without paying the amount in advance for each tanker arriving at the pump and hence the arrears should be settled. The arrears of filling fuel in the vehicles of high-ranking officers at the fire force headquarters alone is around three lakhs. The dues at the station there are over Rs 5 lakhs.

750 vehicles, 7000 calls

There are 750 vehicles, including multi-purpose tankers made available five months ago

7000 calls are received annually seeking service at 129 fire stations.