Kollam: Operators of mechanised fishing vessels, registered with the port in the fishing hub of Kollam, are in dire straits after Matsyafed, the Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd, closed the diesel pump at Neendakara due to irregularities on Wednesday.

Fishermen in Kollam, who contribute to a major chunk of marine exports, now have to travel longer distances to fill fuel in their motor boats.

The Hindustan Petroleum Corporation sealed the diesel bunk operated by Matsyafed on Wednesday after their vigilance team spotted irregularities in the stock ledger maintained at the outlet.

The fishing boats in the area have had to depend on private distributors ever since and boat owners have become concerned about the quality of fuel available with the private diesel bunks in the area.

“We used to get exact quantity and good quality of fuel from the Matsyafed diesel bunk without any manipulations. Now there arises a major concern for us, with the private bunks operating all around," said Jacob George, a boat owner.

The vigilance team had also found that the mandatory sample test to be conducted at the outlet along with the density test was omitted by the assistant manager appointed by Matsyafed.

“We have private pumps here, but we used to depend on government supply alone. The number of boats anchoring at this harbour is very high and all of them have to travel longer distances to fill fuel. We strongly demand that order is restored soon,” said Peter Mathias, secretary, Boat Owners Association.