OGRA introduces real-time digital monitoring system for petrol pumps nationwide

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has decided to introduce mandatory real-time digital monitoring at petrol pumps across Pakistan as part of its efforts to digitize the country’s petroleum supply chain and enhance transparency.

Under the new system, every petrol pump will be required to use two OGRA-approved smartphones equipped with a dedicated mobile application to transmit real-time data on fuel receipts, sales, and available stock to regulators.

As per media reports, the implementation of the system will be done by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) at retail outlets.

Petrol pump dealers, however, complained that they were made to buy the prescribed smartphones via OMCs and at the price of about Rs72,000 per device.

Dealers say that about 25,000 to 26,000 smartphones have already been issued to them. This means that the value of devices sold is somewhere between Rs800 million and Rs900 million.

The legality of the deductions was also questioned. They demand to see the documents on how procurement was done and other financial information.

The digital monitoring project is a part of OGRA’s Track & Trace system, which would monitor the movement of petroleum products from the import terminals and refineries to oil depots, tank lorries, and retail fuel stations.

It will make use of GPS tracking systems, ERP systems, dashboards, and mobile applications to track the live inventories and movements of the fuel.

The move will help in reducing fuel hoarding, smuggling, diversion of petroleum products, and stock management.