Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 28:
To facilitate movement of trucks carrying fertilizers currently stranded along NH-39 in Nagaland as soon as possible, a team of the Agriculture Department headed by Assistant Fertilizer Officer reached Kohima yesterday.
On reaching Kohima, the team called on relevant officials of Nagaland Government and urged them to arrange for movement of trucks laden with fertilizers at the earliest on priority basis.
Talking to The Sangai Express, AFO N Gopenchandra, currently at Kohima, informed that they have submitted written intimations from the Government of Manipur to Nagaland Government.
Soon after reaching Kohima, the team went to the spot where a portion of NH-39 has sunk.
There they met the Deputy Commissioner and SP of Kohima and urged them to make arrangements so that the fertilizer laden trucks can resume their journey towards Imphal on priority basis.
After the Nagaland officials were apprised of the Manipuri farmers' demand for fertilizers as they are in the midst of Kharif season, it was agreed that trucks carrying fertilizers will be allowed to move along with trucks carrying rice and oil tankers on priority basis.
Subsequent upon the agreement, 22 fertilizer laden trucks crossed the sunken portion last night followed by another 30 trucks this afternoon.
Further, arrangements have been made for another 16 trucks to cross the sunken portion tomorrow, informed AFO Gopenchandra.
Of the total trucks which have crossed the portion of NH-39 disabled by landslide, 25 trucks carrying fertilizers arrived at Imphal this afternoon.
On the other hand, with the oil depot located at Chingmeirong starting to issue petrol and diesel to retail outlets, the woes of people caused by unavailability of petrol have been reduced to a certain extent.
Another 72 kilolitres of petrol was also issued to 12 outlets today so that they can provide petrol to people tomorrow.
The retail outlets to which petrol has been issued are BB & Co (4 Kl), DSLS & Co (4 Kl), Ksh Beikul Singh (4 Kl), Eastern Agro (4 Kl), Kusum Service Station ( 4Kl), Imphal Oil Agency (4 Kl), Zam Gas Station (4 Kl), Konsam Oil Service (4 Kl), LNC Sekmai (4 Kl), PCTC (28 Kl), Krishna Premi Oil City (4 Kl) and Tidim Service (4 Kl).