After bottle ban, Odisha man brings bike’s fuel tank to fill petrol

In a bizarre yet striking example of local ingenuity, a man in Odisha was spotted carrying the fuel tank of his bike in his hand to a petrol pump after the state government recently enforced a strict ban on the sale of petrol in bottles.

The unusual scene unfolded at a petrol pump near Badamba in Cuttack district, leaving onlookers stunned. With the bottle ban now in effect across the state to curb illegal fuel trade and reduce fire hazards, many who relied on bottled petrol for small quantities have been left scrambling for alternatives. 

But this youth took things to a whole new level, literally uninstalling the tank from his bike and walking into the petrol pump to get it filled.

Previously, visuals of people transporting motorcycles in pick-up vans just to refuel had gone viral. But this latest incident highlights the challenges faced by people in rural or semi-rural areas who do not have easy access to fuel stations or cannot push their vehicles over long distances.

While the move may seem humorous on the surface, it underlines the need for practical implementation strategies and alternative solutions when sudden policy changes impact day-to-day life.