Fuel Station Sealed, Probe Underway After 19 Government Vehicles Break Down
Ratlam: A major security and administrative lapse unfolded late Thursday night when nineteen vehicles in the convoy of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stalled en route to a scheduled government program in Ratlam. The disruption occurred after the convoy’s SUVs were refueled with diesel reportedly mixed with water, leading to mechanical breakdowns shortly after departure.
The convoy, which was transporting VIPs and security personnel from Indore ahead of CM Yadav’s arrival, had refueled at a petrol pump in Dosigaon, Ratlam. As the vehicles left the station, drivers noticed engine trouble, and several SUVs stopped functioning either on the premises or shortly after hitting the road. Video footage from the scene shows government officials and staff pushing the stalled vehicles to safety in the middle of the night.
The incident sparked immediate action from local authorities. District officials, led by Naib Tehsildar Ashish Upadhyay, sealed the fuel station and initiated legal proceedings against the fuel outlet for selling contaminated fuel. A sample analysis conducted by the Food and Civil Supplies Department revealed the presence of water in the diesel stored at the pump. Over 16,000 liters of fuel, including 11,000 liters of diesel, were tested as part of the investigation.
Preliminary reports suggest that recent heavy rains may have led to water seeping into the underground diesel tanks, resulting in widespread contamination. The incident has raised serious questions about fuel quality monitoring and emergency preparedness, especially considering that the vehicles involved were part of a high-level security convoy.
Despite the mechanical failure of the vehicles, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s schedule remained unaffected, as replacement vehicles were quickly dispatched from Indore. He went on to attend the Regional Industry, Skill & Development Conclave in Ratlam on Friday, as originally planned.
Meanwhile, the District Collector has launched a full-scale investigation to determine whether the fuel contamination was caused by negligence, infrastructural failure, or deliberate foul play. The outcome of this inquiry is expected to influence whether the fuel station faces additional penalties or operational bans.
The incident has sparked political and public concern, especially given the sensitivity of the convoy’s purpose and the scale of the disruption. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent fuel quality checks and enhanced safeguards for vehicles involved in VIP and emergency services.
As the probe continues, authorities are expected to issue new guidelines for fuel quality audits in the region, to prevent a recurrence of such hazardous mishaps.