Petrol shortage looms large
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 24 2015:
The State is likely to face shortage of petroleum products in the next couple of days as Imphal-Dimapur highway still remains cut off, one IOC official told The Sangai Express.
Saying that the existing stocks of petrol and diesel in IOC's depot can meet the State's requirements for eight days and 20 days respectively, the official expressed deep concerned that panic buying may lead to shortage of petrol in the next couple of days.
A late report informed that necessary measures have been initiated to bring in all loaded tanker trucks currently stranded at different places along Imphal-Dimapur highway on Imphal-Jiribam highway.
It is not yet clear when Imphal-Dimpaur highway would be re-opened to vehicular traffic.
Since some days back, the highway has been cut off after massive landslides tri- ggered by heavy rainfall blocked 200 metres of the highway at Pesama.
Even as the degree of rainfall has de-escalated from heavy to medium, landslides and sinking of hill slopes still continue.
Now almost 250 metres of the highway has been totally blocked.
Nonetheless, heavy machinery including bull-dozers and excavators are being deployed to clear earth and mud blocking the highway, informed one official of 89th BRTF.
Maximum efforts are being invested to restore the highway in view of the crucial connectivity it provides but incessant rainfall has been hampering the repairing work.
Whereas there is no possibility of constructing a new diversion road at present, it is unlikely that the highway can be restored fully in the next two/three days, added the official.