BPCL tankers now move sans security escorts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 05 2023:
The trouble and inconvenience faced earlier by transporters and representatives of retail outlets in transporting petroleum products such as LPG, petrol and diesel has almost become negligible owing mostly to the improved law and order situation.
In the past, convoys of CRPF were a must to bring in petroleum products from outside to meet the State requirement of petrol, diesel and LPG due to frequent imposition of bandhs and blockades especially in hill districts.
Reportedly, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has stopped taking the assistance of CRPF in transporting petroleum products since September 26, 2022 and they have been bringing in petroleum products to the State on their own since the past five months or so.
As per an official of BPCL, there are 38 retail outlets (petrol pumps) of theirs in Manipur.
Saying that they (BPCL) used to transport petroleum products in about 100 tanker trucks, the official maintained that CRPF convoys used to guard about 120 tanker trucks five days a week in the past of which only about 15 belonged to BPCL at the time of uncertainty forcing many retail outlets of the corporation to close.
BPCL used to receive many complaints from the consumers for closing its outlets despite owning a considerable share in the petroleum market of Manipur often, he added.
"When escorted by CRPF, the drivers weren't only uncomfortable but also faced many inconveniences," the official claimed and added that "owing to all these factors BPCL decided to stop taking the assistance of CRPF in transporting petroleum products and forward their decision to the Government for approval which has been accepted" .
The BPCL has been bringing in petroleum products to the State without the assistance of CRPF since September 26, 2022, he reiterated.
Saying that they have not faced any trouble in transporting petroleum products independently till now, the official maintained that transportation has even become faster without the involvement of CRPF while the drivers now have the freedom to take rest at nearby retail outlets whenever they need.
"The rate of road accidents has also become negligible after transporting petroleum products in our own capacity, " he continued.
On the other hand, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) still takes the assistance of CRPF in transporting petroleum products.
CRPF convoys guard about 80 empty tankers and 75 loaded trucks five days a week.
Reportedly, tanker trucks in Manipur take about 5 days to complete the whole inter-States transportation process of petroleum products but drivers face many obstacles when escorted by CRPF as they have little time to rest and 'as the rate of meeting accidents is higher' .
It is reported that CRPF usually leave behind the tanker trucks which meet with accidents.
Owing to all these factors, some of the officials of IOCL have also expressed their displeasure in taking assistance from CRPF and desire to transport petroleum products on their own like BPCL.