Convoy of 112 TTs leave Imphal ; 150 loaded TTs set to arrive here
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 24 2015 :
A total of 112 empty tanker trucks (TTs) are set to leave Imphal tonight with CRPF escorts in order to ship in petroleum products to the State.
In the meantime, CRPF escorts would be escorting back 150 loaded TTs from Khatkhati, Assam to Imphal.
Security escorts of the incoming convoy and the outgoing convoy would be exchanged at Mao tomorrow morning.
The incoming convoy of loaded TTs is expected to arrive here between 11 am and 12 noon.
One IOC official informed that around 160 loaded TTs are stranded at different places outside the State at the moment.
Some of the TTs were loaded with petroleum products at Tinsukia today.
Those TTs which got loaded today may miss the convoy which would be escorted by CRPF from Khatkhati tonight.
At least 150 loaded TTs are expected to arrive here tomorrow.
These TTs would bring in 600 Kls of petrol and 980 Kls of diesel.
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Fuel brought in by these TTs would be supplied to retail outlets tomorrow itself and the IOC's depot would remain operational till late night, if necessary.
The unexpected scarcity of fuel this month was largely due to deficit in shipping petroleum products which was compounded by closure of NRL/BPCL ROs.
Notably, 35 per cent of the State's daily fuel requirement was supplied by NRL/BPCL ROs.
There was deficit in the routine shipping in of petroleum products by IOC due to landslide, economic blockade and holidays for Cheiraoba and Bihu festivals.
In addition, movement of TT convoys with CRPF escorts was re-scheduled on alternate days only after changing the earlier schedule under which TT convoys with security escorts went for shipping in petroleum products every day.
A high-ranking official of IOC Hqs Mumbai visited the State in the first week of April and held a meeting with State Government officials concerned.
The IOC official urged the State officials to arrange CRPF escorts for movement of TT convoys everyday.
The same proposal was also reiterated by Imphal based IOC officials but to no avail.
Now with the problem of fuel scarcity pinching the Government hard, it has initiated certain steps to resume movement of TTs with security escorts every day.
Although TT drivers have certain objections against the Government's plan to send TT convoys everyday, it is expected that the Government would be able to persuade the drivers.
Because of objections raised by TT drivers, the scheduled departure of TTs and FCI trucks together with CRPF escorts last night was cancelled.
On account of the pressing situation, IOC, after consultation with the State Government, has started releasing fuels stocked at their depot to ROs.
The stock capacity of IOC's Chingmeirong depot is 840 Kls of petrol and 3341 Kls of diesel.
As the stock capacity is too low as compared to the State's daily requirement, fuels stocked there were left untouched as far as possible.
At present, there are 581 Kls of petrol and 3068 Kls of diesel at the depot.
Meanwhile, another source informed that distribution of fuels at NRL/BPCL ROs would be brought under the Government's control.
According to an office memorandum issued by the CAF&PD Director, NRL/BPCL TTs which arrive here from Dimapur would be parked together at a separate parking lot.