Over 200 LPG tankers left stranded
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2024: Inability of the Government to escort the goods laden trucks back to Imphal has compounded the suffering of the people due to shortage of adequate cooking gas and other essential items.

According to a report received by The Sangai Express, over 200 LPG bullet tankers, oil tankers and other trucks transporting essential commodities which were stranded in Jiribam started heading towards Imphal under tight security cover from July 8 and 9 and they reached Noney yesterday.

It is reported that the movement of these vehicles took time as National Highway 37 is in pretty bad shape.

Many drivers, transporters and vehicle owners, however, have expressed utter disappointment with the Government for allegedly failing to take up adequate security measures to ensure these vehicles carrying supplies reach Imphal on time.

Over 200 LPG tankers left stranded

Saying that going from Noney to Imphal and vice versa usually takes only about 2 hours, they asked why the security teams are unable to escort the transporters and let them reach Imphal on time.

These transporters could have reached Imphal yesterday had the Government taken up adequate measures, they continued and asked what prevents the Government from giving tight security cover to the transporters from Noney to Keithelmanbi which is only about 24-25 Kms.

There would not be any security concern once the transporters reach Keithelmanbi, they added.

It seems like the Government could not take any independent decision, they said and maintained that the problem of shortage of filled LPG cylinders and petrol and diesel could be solved to some extent if these tankers reach Imphal.

They also said that other transporters can't go to the Jiribam side to bring supplies to the State unless those stuck in Noney reach Imphal.

A group of people whom this reporter interacted with said that the price of a single refilled LPG cylinder in Manipur has reached as high as Rs 2500 in black market but the Government hasn't done anything to alleviate their suffering.

They added that the State witnessing shortage of cooking gas despite having several gas agencies is unfortunate.

The well-off and elite people can still get refilled LPG cylinders, petrol, diesel etc and it is the common people who suffer, they said and added that it is mostly the poor who buy a single refilled LPG cylinder at extremely high rate.

They said that they can't find any place to procure refilled LPG cylinders though they are willing to buy even if the rate is high.