Fuelling art deco: Check out one of a handful of art deco petrol pumps in Mumbai

If you’re walking by Ballard Estate—precisely on the same road Britannia and Company Restaurant is located, but towards Mumbai CST—you will come across a petrol pump that is slightly different from the rest in the city.

What makes it special

First, this petrol pump has been operating since 1938 by a single family. Second, Daniel Sequeria, the third generation of the family running the petrol pump, is only 26 and talks about cars, spare parts and the history of this petrol station as if he is a professor speaking to an interested student. Finally, this structure is one of a few art deco style petrol pumps in the city. The other two aesthetically-pleasing pumps that we have heard of are in Worli and on Andheri Link Road. The latter is more popularly known as the Lotus Petrol Pump.
Currently, the Ballard Estate petrol pump, called Karfule Petrol Pump, is operated by Daniel, his father Kevin and mother Jacinta. “We’re usually open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. because after 8 p.m., Ballard Estate is usually empty,” says Daniel.

A brief history

Speaking about the origin of the iconic structure, Daniel says that it was built by his grandfather in 1937. “It’s certainly not the first petrol pump in the city, but it is one of the earliest. My grandfather had a deal with Caltex, but once the firm sold out to Hindustan Petroleum (HP), they took over the pump, even though we still own the structure,” explains the Colaba resident.
However, after HP took over, several changes were made. A clock bearing Caltex’s symbol had to be taken down because HP had taken over the pump. While the Sequeria family was busy hunting for a clock to replace the one located at the top of the petrol pump, they finally decided against the idea because of a tree that grew right in front of the fuelling station. “It blocks the view of the pump and doesn’t make sense adding a clock now,” says Daniel with a shrug.
Some old structures are still present, although HP had asked the family to replace them with newer ones. For example, an analogue instrument used to check tyre pressure. “HP asked us to change it to a digital one, as the modern one can show more accurate numbers and the analogue one—if not properly calibrated—can show errors. However, we did not take down the analogue one but also installed a digital machine,” says Daniel, adding that while the analogue machine is old, it is functional. “It’s funny that how older things, despite the lack of modern-day technology and computerisation, are so sturdy. Even the materials used to build them are of the highest quality,” laughs Daniel.
However, one thing that makes this petrol pump stand out is the white colour the owners had to paint it with. Unlike other structures on the road that are a dull shade of brown, the petrol pump and the adjoining restaurant, Kaboom, which was originally a Firestone Tyre Shop, stand out on the road.

Not the best revenue

Although the petrol pump has been functioning for nearly 78 years, there is one issue that the family faces: the commission they get from selling petrol. Since they sell petrol manufactured by HP, they only earn a small percentage of the amount. “For diesel, we get Rs. 1.8 per litre, while for petrol, we get Rs. 2.8 per litre,” says Daniel. Currently, petrol and diesel in Mumbai cost Rs. 65.63 per litre and Rs. 53.49 per litre (April 16, 2016 rates), but the Sequerias aren’t too frazzled about the poor returns. “It’s something we enjoy doing. Add to that, we can take time off and see various parts of the country,” says Daniel, who spends two months every year photographing wildlife in India.