Fuel security lingers in doubt even if Malom depot comes to light
Depot to be rail fed only after 2018
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 24 2012:
The oil depot which would be constructed at Malom and would have the capacity to stock 30 days' requirement of fuel will not be in a position to guarantee that the State would not face the problem of fuel shortage which has become chronic.
This is primarily because the proposed depot will be rail fed only after 2018 .
A reliable source informed that stock capacity of the Chingmeirong oil depot which is 12 days for petrol and 16 days for diesel is not the cause for oil pumps running dry every now and then.
To do away with the problem of fuel shortage, it is crucial to improve transport infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted movement of oil tankers.
Saying that the proposed oil depot at Malom would have storage capacity for 30 days' requirement of fuel, the source informed that as per the calculation of 2011-12, the daily requirement of petrol in Manipur is 90 Kls and 220 Kls of diesel.
Based on this calculation, the stock capacity of Malom oil depot would be 2700 Kls of petrol and 6600 Kls of diesel.
Construction of the Malom depot is expected to be completed by 2016.From 2016 to 2018, the depot would operate as a road-fed depot just like the existing Chingmeirong depot.
The Malom depot is being targeted to be turned into a rail-fed depot after 2018 .
On the other hand, requirement of petrol and diesel in Manipur is increasing every year.
During 2008-09, the annual requirements of petrol and diesel were 49 Kls and 103 Kls respectively.
The respective figures for the year 2009-10 were 55 Kls and 134 Kls and for 2010-11, the respective figures were 70 Kls and 170 Kls.
The figures rose to 90 Kls and 220 Kls in 2011-12 .
However, due to prolonged highway blockades in 2010-11 and 2011-12, the Chingmeirong depot could not supply the required quantities of fuel.
Given the ever increasing demand, it is doubtful if the Government and IOC's objective of stocking 30 days' requirement in Malom depot can be achieved as long fuel are brought in by road, said the source.
Another point is, most of the construction works in the State could not be completed in time.
This habitual drawback evokes a serious question whether or not the project of oil depot at Malom can be completed within the stipulated time period.