Malom depot unable to store maximum fuel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 04 2024: The depot of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at Malom is still unable to operate at its maximum capacity due to the unrest in Manipur as frequent closure of National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) by different elements has greatly disrupted the transportation of fuel.

It is reported that the stock of petrol and diesel at the depot which has been taking a big role in the oil market of Manipur- has depleted to the emergency level.

It may be mentioned that the Malom oil depot was inaugurated on August 31, 2016 by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

A well placed source said that the oil depot is unable to stock up adequate amount of fuel at its storage tanks since the last one year due to the closure of National-Highway 2 on numerous occasions and the frequent breakdown of Imphal-Jiribam road (National Highway 37).Other factors which affect the oil market in Manipur arg the transportation cost being low while moving along Imphal-Jiribam road and the decrease in the number of CRPF convoy escorting tanker trucks from 60 to 33 .

Non-increment of the transportation charge is one major factor which makes the transporters reluctant to continue their service, the source said.

The tanker trucks often supply petrol and diesel to retail outlets first instead of filling the storage tanks at Malom oil depot first and it has led to the depletion of fuel at the depot, added the source.

It is reported that over 150 loaded tanker trucks are currently stranded in Jiribam.

The source went on to state that Manipur may have fated a far more serious fuel crisis if other oil marketing companies such as BPCL and HPCL don't bring in petrol and diesel from other States and rely only on IOCL.

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