Cuttack : In a bizarre yet telling incident from Narsinghpur block in Odisha’s Cuttack district, a young man was forced to hire a pick-up van to transport his motorcycle to a petrol station after running out of fuel. The reason? A recent government ban on selling petrol in bottles left him with no alternative.

The incident took place in Nookhapada village when the man’s motorcycle stalled late at night on the deserted Narsinghpur–Angul Ghati road. Stranded in the dark with no help in sight, he walked to a nearby petrol pump and requested a small quantity of fuel in a bottle to get his vehicle moving again.

However, the petrol pump staff declined his request, citing a new government directive that prohibits the sale of petrol in plastic bottles. The rule, recently implemented by the Odisha government, aims to prevent fire hazards and improve public safety. Food and Supplies Minister Krishnachandra Patra had earlier convened a meeting with oil companies at Lok Seva Bhavan to enforce this ban, instructing district officials to ensure strict compliance.

With no other option available, the youth hired a pick-up van, loaded his motorcycle onto it, and drove it to the fuel station. Once at the pump, fuel was dispensed directly into the motorcycle, and he was able to ride home safely.

A video of the entire episode has since gone viral on social media, sparking a wide range of reactions. While many users praised the man’s resourcefulness, others lauded the government’s strict adherence to safety norms.

Though the incident has amused many, it also serves as a reminder of the risks associated with storing fuel in plastic containers. The state government hopes the rule will deter such unsafe practices and prevent potential accidents in the future.