With perplexed vehicle owners unable to fathom gross variations in readings of tyre pressure at different fuel outlets, the Department of Legal Metrology will write to the Centre seeking inclusion of air-pressure gauge in the ambit of Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Though the department is empowered to initiate action against offenders who tamper with the quantity of fuel and other goods, air-pressure gauge is still out of its ambit. This despite the safety implications like braking problems of driving a vehicle with tyres having improper pressure.
“The department had written to the Centre seeking its inclusion when the Act of 1976 was in vogue. We will forward a proposal again through the State government, to include air-pressure gauge from the 2017-18 fiscal, by amending relevant rules,” said R. Ram Mohan, Deputy Controller of Legal Metrology (Central zone).
Many people are still unaware of the implications of relying on non-standardised pressure gauges. Currently, there is no uniform verification agency to ensure standardisation. “This leaves little chance for us to initiate action against faulty gauges,” he added.
Speed radar, the machine used to gauge the speed of vehicles, is yet another equipment that is not under the ambit of Legal Metrology Act.
“We will include this too in the proposal to the Centre. Only when these equipments are included in the Act can the department ready infrastructure to ensure that people get standardised service,” said Mr. Ram Mohan. Following a spate of night-time inspections, the department had sealed fuel-vending machines in a few dozen fuel outlets after they were found to be tampered with to vend lesser quantity fuel.
A senior BPCL official said the oil major insisted on annual calibration certificate issued by manufacturers of air-pressure gauges.
“But not all oil firms insist on this,” said a fuel-bunk owner. “Most gauges are calibrated by manufacturers every year, depending on insistence by fuel retailer. Readings might differ if they are not calibrated. Variations in power supply and issues like problems with compressor and sensor too affect readings.”
Safety implications
Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer (RTO) P.H. Sadiq Ali said the Legal Metrology Department was the ideal agency to ensure standardisation of pressure gauges. “It is doubtful whether all fuel bunks opt for annual calibration. Over-inflated tyres would provide a bumpy ride, with passengers feeling that the vehicle is passing through ‘rumble strips’ even when it is over a well-maintained road. Similarly, under-inflated tyres have uneven wear and tear, lessening their life span.”
