Explosive and petroleum storage licensing, step by step

Any facility storing petroleum products, LPG, CNG or listed hazardous substances above threshold quantities needs a licence from the Department of Explosives under the petroleum and explosives legal framework. This includes ordinary industrial diesel storage for generators, which many operators overlook until an inspection.

The four stages

• Site selection — the storage location must satisfy separation distances, fire safety standards and public safety criteria before anything else is filed.
• Document verification — incorporation, trade licence, land documents, fire licence and environmental clearance are checked as a set.
• Site inspection — officers physically audit the tank or store, bunding, electrical fittings, earthing, signage and firefighting provision.
• Fee payment and issue — settled by treasury challan, with the licence typically valid for one year and renewable.

Why renewal discipline matters

An expired storage licence is not treated as a lapsed formality. It exposes the operator to penalty and, in a serious case, to a shutdown order affecting the whole site — because without lawful fuel storage the generators cannot run. We hold the renewal calendar and file ahead of expiry.