India's Fuel Retail Boom: Crosses 1 Lakh Petrol Pumps, Ranks Third Globally

• India now boasts over 100,000 petrol pumps, becoming the world's third-largest network after the US and China, nearly doubling its footprint in the last decade.
• Public sector oil companies aggressively expanded to meet rising vehicle numbers and improve fuel access in rural areas, where stations now comprise 29% of the total.
• Despite rapid expansion, private players hold less than 10% of the market, with government influence on pricing discouraging large-scale private investment.
• Concerns exist about the financial viability of many new outlets, as fuel demand growth hasn't kept pace with the surge in pumps, leading to unsustainable volumes.
• Integration of alternative energy options like CNG and EV charging at nearly one-third of pumps is expected to enhance revenue and long-term sustainability.

Why It Matters: India's rapid petrol pump expansion to over 1 lakh raises viability concerns despite global ranking.