The Hindu : Switch off cellphones at petrol pumps: Ram Naik

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 28, 2002

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Switch off cellphones at petrol pumps: Ram Naik

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 27. The Petroleum Ministry today warned that cellular phones should be switched off at petrol pumps as they were a potential ignition source to the flammable vapours in the atmosphere.

Due to the potential risk of fire accidents due to ignition from the batteries of cell phones, manufacturers and service providers of cell phones also advise users to keep cell phones in "off'' mode.

The Petroleum Minister, Ram Naik, directed that steps be taken to create awareness among customers about the need to keep cell phones switched off while at the retail outlets.

He said oil marketing companies should arrange distribution of suitable pamphlets in this regard to each vehicle coming in for refuelling at the outlets for 30 days. The companies have also been advised to orient their staff appropriately and put up signs urging their customers to switch off their cell phones.

The Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) has given the opinion that mobile phones should be switched off at retail outlets, CNG and LPG refuelling stations, and not permitted inside oil installations.

It pointed out that cell phone manufacturers such as Nokia, Motorola, Panasonic, multinational oil and companies such as Shell, the aviation wing of BP Amoco and Airtel had all recommended switching off mobile phones at fuel stations.

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