Hyderabad Police Patrol Vehicles Running Out of Fuel: A Growing Concern
In several police stations in Hyderabad, drivers are reportedly approaching private individuals to fund fuel for patrol vehicles, raising concerns about resource allocation and operational efficiency.
HyderabadPoliceFuelPatrol VehiclesResource AllocationReal EstateMay 31, 2025
While the higher-ups in the department maintain that sufficient fuel is allocated to the police patrol vehicles depending upon the distance covered during patrolling, the drivers complain that the fuel allocated is not sufficient, forcing them to search for alternative resources.
Earlier, the police drivers say they were allocated 200-220 litres of fuel a month. Now, this has been reduced to 160-180 litres a month. “The fuel quota exhausts by the 20th of any month. In the last 10 days of the month, we have to depend on alternative resources to fill the tanks. Sometimes, we are forced to ask the petitioners or families of suspects to foot the fuel bill,” said a driver of a patrol car on condition of anonymity, adding that constables chip in to convince people to help us.
Another driver working in the southeast zone said they are directed to keep patrolling the area during small disturbances in the localities. “Only during big bandobast are we allocated additional fuel. For small disturbances, when intensified patrolling is done, there is no additional allocation. Our alternative, the fuel given as ‘goodwill’ by fuel stations, is pocketed away by Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors for personal use,” said another policeman, who did not want to be named.
According to reliable sources, some business establishments are directly paying fuel stations and asking them to dispense fuel to police vehicles. Bar and restaurant owners, billiards and snooker managements, multiplex owners, and companies in industrial areas are helping out the police.
An official of the Motor Transport Wing of the city police said the complaints of low allocation have no truth as there is GPS fitted to every police patrol vehicle, and after conducting an audit of the fuel requirements, the fuel quota was fixed. The distance covered by the vehicle in a day and the vehicle mileage was calculated, and the fuel quota fixed. “Whenever there is additional requirement at the request of the SHO or higher officials, additional fuel is being provided to vehicles,” said the official.
Another official pointed out that the drivers go out in police vehicles for work not related to official duties, thereby using the fuel allotted for official duties. “There are instances when they go out to get tea, food, snacks, or meet some local leaders for personal benefits. They should be honest in their duty,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are police drivers approaching private individuals for fuel?
Police drivers are approaching private individuals because the fuel allocated by the department is insufficient, and they are forced to find alternative resources to keep patrol vehicles running.
What is the current fuel allocation for police patrol vehicles?
The current fuel allocation for police patrol vehicles has been reduced to 160-180 litres a month, down from the earlier 200-220 litres a month.
How are business establishments helping the police?
Some business establishments, such as bar and restaurant owners, billiards and snooker managements, multiplex owners, and companies in industrial areas, are directly paying fuel stations to dispense fuel to police vehicles.
What measures are in place to monitor fuel usage?
The Motor Transport Wing of the city police has GPS fitted to every police patrol vehicle to monitor fuel usage. An audit of the fuel requirements is conducted to fix the fuel quota based on the distance covered and vehicle mileage.
What are the concerns raised by officials about fuel usage?
Officials have raised concerns that drivers sometimes use police vehicles for personal tasks, such as getting tea, food, snacks, or meeting local leaders, which consumes the fuel allocated for official duties.
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