Fuel to be lifted through Kohima bypass road
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 30 2013: The Government of Manipur has taken up necessary measures for lifting of oil through the bypass road connecting Mao and Kohima from tomorrow.

Accordingly, oil tankers would leave Imphal along with security escort tomorrow.

A decision to this effect was arrived at a meeting chaired by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution at his office chamber located in Secretariat building, North Block here today afternoon.

MLA of Mao A/C L Dikho, MLA of Karong A/C Dr.Alexander Pao, Commissioner (Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) Y Thamkishore, Additional Secretary M.Yaiskul Meitei, State Level Co-ordinator of IOC KI Singh and Depot Manager SI Singh were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, IOC officials assured that around 100 oil tankers could be despatched through the bypass road connecting Mao and Kohima for lifting oil tomorrow itself, provided the Government ensures adequate escort.

Through this bypass road, empty oil tankers could come back loaded a day after they left.

The IOC officials also apprised the Minister that for today around 52 oil loaded tankers arrived at Imphal through Imphal-Jiribam road while 82 other oil loaded tankers are ready to leave Jiribam.

If these loaded oil tankers come among the normal convoy, then it takes around 3 days to Imphal from Jiribam.

However, in case the Government could ensure security escort only for oil tankers, then there is no question of taking not more than one day for the oil tankers to reach Imphal.

In the last one and half month, oil tankers have been escorted along Imphal-Jiribam road only once.

As a result of the dwindling stock of fuel, IOC is finding difficult in issuing oil to all the oil pumps in and around Imphal in one go.

On top of this, fuel has been kept in reserve for the security forces including the State police, GAD and other departments, the IOC official highlighted.

The two MLAs pointed out that since it is a one-way bypass road, there would not be any problem for the oil tankers to ply and they would personally ensure nothing untoward happen on the way in view of the difficulties being faced by the people of Manipur from shortage of fuel.

Appreciating the concern of the two MLAs, the Minister drew the attention of all for making necessary measures for deployment of oil tankers for lifting the oil through the bypass road from tomorrow itself and assured that the required security escort would be provided by the Government.

The bypass road in question starts from Pudunamei, which is located 4 km off Mao from Imphal.

From Pudunamei, the road leads to Kedima of Nagaland and goes on to connect Chakanama and Kohima.

From Pudunamei to Kohima, the distance is around 45 kms as against 32 kms from Mao to Kohima along National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road).

In case, the oil tankers take the bypass road, then they have to fill NRL oil and come back from Kohima.

If the condition of Imphal-Jiribam road continues to remain not fit for plying vehicles, then the State Government would also think of the possibility of bringing the 82 loaded oil tankers stranded at Silchar and Jiribam through this bypass road.

Meanwhile, the State Government given necessary instruction to the authorities concerned for arrangement CRPF convoy to accompany the empty oil tankers which would be leaving through the bypass road tomorrow.

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