Only once a week escort chokes free flow of fuel Pathetic NH-37 derails Govt plan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 22 2011: Even as the State Government planned to bring in petroleum products by providing security escorts to the transporters twice a week, the same plan could not be implemented in totality thereby resulting in the continued shortage of petroleum products in the State.

A source in the North East Integrated Sales Office of the IOC informed that the Government has been providing security escorts only once a week in spite of its decision to provide security escorts twice a week.

Moreover, pathetic condition of NH-37 has also been impeding movements of oil tankers.

IOC officials are apprehensive that the stocks of petrol and diesel currently available in the depot would dry up in a week or two if the present situation continues any longer, conveyed the official.

In view of the twin blockades imposed by SHDDC and the UNC though the former has lifted its blockade now, the State Government made arrangements to bring in essential commodities including petroleum products along Imphal-Jiribam highway by providing security escorts to transporters.

Vehicles line up for their ration of fuel

It is reported that the quantity of petroleum products shipped in during the blockade days is not even half of the quantity shipped in during normal time.

The frequency and strength of security convoys which took ImphalDimapur highway and those travelling on Imphal-Jiribam highway have vast variation.

Security convoys traversed 22 times on Imphal-Diampur highway in the month of April this year, escorting 729 loaded tankers and 710 empty tankers to and from Imphal.

In May too, security convoys traversed 22 times on the same highway escorting 847 loaded tankers and 625 empty tankers.

In July, security convoys made the same number of to and fro journeys escorting 751 loaded tankers and 632 empty tankers.

Security convoys traversed 20 times in the month of July during which 666 loaded tankers and 448 empty tankers were escorted to and from Imphal.

After the economic blockade came into force, security convoys were detailed only four times on Imphal-Diampur highway escorting out 239 empty tankers and bringing back 194 loaded tankers.

The month of September witnessed the same frequency of security convoy movement during which 346 loaded tankers and 368 empty tankers were escorted to and from Imphal.

Security convoys traversed only three times on the highway in October escorting out 395 empty tankers and bringing in 440 loaded tankers.

For the current till the 21st day, security convoys made four to and fro journeys in the course of which 373 empty tankers were escorted and 305 loaded tankers brought in.

As this rate of transportation of fuel oils is very low compared to the requirements of the State, the IOC is unable to supply fuel oils to retail outlets in adequate quantity or regularly.

There were 982 Kls of petrol, 1391 Kls of diesel and 1995 Kls of SK Oil in the depot as on November 21 .