Consumers using Bharat Petroleum or BPCL dealer outlets can get prices through SMS
Fuel stations across the country have switched to daily price revisions in petrol and diesel, from fortnightly mode earlier. From mobile apps to SMS service, oil marketing companies Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum (HPCL) have come out with many initiatives to make customers aware of daily petrol and diesel rates. State-run Indian Oil, HPCL, and BPCL account for more than 90 per cent of refuelling stations in the country. Effective June 16, petrol and diesel prices in pumps across in the country are revised at 6 am daily. The move is aimed at bringing more transparency in the pricing mechanism and reducing sharp volatility in domestic petrol and diesel prices.
Here are various initiatives taken by the oil companies to disseminate information on daily prices of petrol and diesel:
INDIAN OIL
SMS service
India's largest fuel retailer has announced an SMS service for consumers to check prices using their mobile phones. To avail this service, customers need to send an SMS to 9224992249 in the following format:
RSP DEALER CODE to 9224992249
The dealer code of each petrol pump would be prominently displayed in the petrol pump premises, Indian Oil has said. Customers can also check the dealer code from Indian Oil website.
Online
Indian Oil has also set up a tool on its website to do this. For this, consumers can access the 'Pump Locator' facility available on its website - iocl.com.
Mobile app
Consumers can also get daily petrol and diesel prices using Indian Oil's mobile app, called Fuel@IOC. Besides fuel station locator and price check, the app also offers services such as e bills - to track fuel purchases, loyalty transactions and grievance tracker.
BPCL
SMS
Consumers using Bharat Petroleum or BPCL dealer outlets can get prices through SMS. For this, they need to send an SMS in the following format to 9223112222:
RSP Dealer Code to 9223112222
Mobile app
Bharat Petroleum's mobile app in this regard is called "SmartDrive". "Due to the increased use of mobile applications in all businesses, it becomes necessary that BPCL joins the race of developing range of mobile applications that will deliver value to its customers, in reaching out to its petrol pumps and availing the unique services offered by the company," BPCL said on the app's description page.
Helpline
Bharat Petroleum has introduced a customer care helpline. BPCL Customer Care SmartLine 1800 22 4344 is "a single window system to listen to queries, suggestions, feedback and compliments related to any of our products and offerings", BPCL said.
HINDUSTAN PETROLEUM
SMS service
Consumers purchasing petrol or diesel from Hindustan Petroleum branded fuel stations can check prices by sending an SMS to 9222201122 in the following format:
HPPRICE DEALER CODE to 9222201122
Mobile app
HPCL's app is called "My HPCL". This app by Hindustan Petroleum, besides price check and dealer locator tools, offers services such as mileage calculator, oil change/PUC/Insurance/service reminders and tyre pressure chart.
Websites
Similar to Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum also have the 'Pump Locator' facility on their websites - bharatpetroleum.in and hindustanpetroleum.com respectively. All apps are available on both Google Play and Apple Store - for Android and iPhone users.