Plane fuel air lifted, petrol, diesel to follow
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 21 2010: Continuing airlifting of essential commodities which are in shortage following imposition of total blockade along the National Highways, the first consignment of petroleum products was brought to Imphal by an Indian Air Force (IAF) flight here today.

Airlifting of essential commodities including rice and life saving drugs/medicines from Guwahati by Postal cargo and IAF flight began since May 17 to meet the requirements of the people.

With the existing stock of petroleum products including Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) also fast running out, the first consignment of 32 KL of ATF was delivered to Imphal by IL-76 aircraft of the AIF at around 1 pm today.

ATF being brought to Tulihal airport

Refuelling of aircrafts at Tulihal airport had been stopped as the stock of ATF was running low.

The Deputy Manager of IOC M Gaithaobung who was present at the airport to receive the consignment told mediapersons that the first consignment of 32 KL of ATF which was brought today is to meet the immediate requirement.

If needed, the Government will make arrangements for lifting more ATF.

The sorties of airlifting other petroleum products like petrol and diesel, however, could not be carried out today due to absence of night landing facilities at Tulihal Airport.

Nonetheless, it is expected that the sorties would begin at 8 am tomorrow.

On the other hand, 9 metric tonne of rice and one consignment of live saving drugs/medicines have also been airlifted from Guwahati today.

With this, the total quantity of rice airlifted so far is 317.99 quintal while that of medicines is 42 metric tonne.

According to Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution P Vaiphei, the 9 MT of rice which was airlifted from Guwahati today would be utilised for open market sale as per the programmes to be worked out by the Department.

A statement issued by Home Department informed that one consignment of life saving drugs/medicines consisting of 497 packets and weighing 6.872 MT reached Imphal by air cargo of Logistic Post today.

In addition, another consignment of 400 packets of life saving drugs/IV fluids weighing about 4 MT reached Imphal by Air Force aircraft today.