NEW DELHI: After Reliance Industries sold a large amount of subsidized fuel, the company reopened its 1400 about one-fifth of its petrol pumps leading to the closure of about one-fifth of its petrol pumps due to easing of diesel prices.

RIL and Essarr Oil LTD, India’s only private refiner, together received about 17% of the fuel oil. In 2006, diesel accounted for 10% of the domestic retail market and gasoline for 10%. However, private sector fuel sales have been hit hard by heavily subsidized sales by state-owned enterprises.

“Already 230 dealers (petrol stations) are planning to commission the entire network within a year.” RIL said in an investor presentation announcing its third quarter results.

After suffering huge losses, Reliance Industries closed down one petrol station in 2008 year 3 All 1, 432 months or so. It sought to match public sector companies that sell fuel at a lower cost and receive government subsidies.

In June 2010, the government deregulated gasoline prices and no longer subsidizes them. This marked a return to retail for Essarrr, which sells only gasoline at most of its 1,400 outlets.

Last October, diesel, India’s most consumed fuel, was deregulated, allowing private companies to re-enter the retail market.

Essar has started selling diesel at all its outlets and is expanding its network to 1,600 which could increase to 25,000 within a year.

“In 2006, success stories’-diesel market share reached 14.3% and gasoline market share reached 7.2%.” “To rapidly increase sales, we launched an aggressive consumer program with the goal of replicating 2006 annual performance levels.”

The company said it will utilize technology to deliver excellent customer value across its network under the motto ‘Right Volume’. In 2006, RIL accounted for only 4% of the total petrol pumps in the country and has since grown its market share. The retailer network has expanded to 51, 870 branches.

The company has relaunched its fleet management program, which will issue smart cards to truckers and other large fleet operators, which can be used by drivers to purchase fuel with cashless deliveries. It can be monitored online to prevent theft or burglary.

RIL said, “The team management program helps provide vehicle control, cash flow management, cashless transactions and information to customers.” And added that it will also introduce customized loyalty programs for different customer segments.

Additionally, the Instant Rewards program, based on active automation, will provide National Automation with a competitive advantage.

RIL’s current network consists of about 900 retail stores and dealerships of the company, the rest of which are owned by the company.