Sunita Somvanshi
Inspections of petrol stations across Karnataka have found measurement problems at a large proportion of the pumps tested, according to media reports citing state government enforcement action. The findings raise a practical question for anyone who fills up regularly: how do you check whether you are receiving the correct quantity of fuel?
Media reports from Karnataka outlets including Prajavani and VijayKarnataka, citing government inspection data, state that 805 petrol pumps were checked in a recent enforcement exercise and that 768 showed measurement irregularities. 101 cases have been filed, according to the same reports. Fines totalling ₹6.66 lakh have been imposed. The underlying government inspection document and official departmental figures had not been directly retrieved from the Karnataka Legal Metrology Department at the time of writing; those numbers should be treated as reported rather than independently verified from the primary government record.
The enforcement action follows a policy change by the central government in 2025 that extended the required recalibration interval for fuel dispensing nozzles from one year to two years. State officials have pointed to that extended interval as a contributing factor in the lapses found.
If you recently filled up at a petrol station in Karnataka, here is what you can check the next time you go: every licensed petrol station is required to have a standard five-litre measuring can available on request. Ask the attendant to dispense exactly five litres using the measuring can. If the measured volume falls noticeably short of five litres, the nozzle may need recalibration. Each station is also required to display its nozzle verification certificate conspicuously. The date on that certificate tells you when the nozzle was last officially tested.
What to do if a reading looks wrong
If you suspect a pump is dispensing short measures, you can contact the Karnataka Legal Metrology Department. The helpline number reported in enforcement communications is 1800 5991100. Complaints can also be submitted by email to clm-lm-ka@nic.in. Both contacts are from official government communications as reproduced in enforcement announcements.
A confirmed short-measure finding can be formally pursued through the Legal Metrology Department. A complaint formally lodged with the department puts the pump on record for inspection.
The government has indicated that further inspections are planned, with compliance verification expected to be completed by December 2026.
What should a customer do if a petrol pump gives less fuel?
Ask the attendant to use the standard five-litre measuring can to verify the dispense. Check that the verification certificate is displayed and current. If you believe the measure is short, call 1800 5991100 or email clm-lm-ka@nic.in to report it to the Karnataka Legal Metrology Department. Document the pump number, station name and date.
The compliance verification process is expected to be completed by December 2026.
