New Delhi, Dec 02: Royal Dutch/Shell, the world's third largest oil firm, will set up its first petrol pump in India in the second half of 2004. "We are in the process of exploring market conditions and fulfilling the investment criteria. We hope to come up with our first outlet in the second half of 2004," chairman of the Shell Group of Companies in India Vikram S Mehta told.

Shell has secured a licence to set up 2000 petrol pumps in India and is hoping to fulfill Rs 2000 crore investment criterion to begin retailing by early next year. Bureau Report