LPG shortage "Explore alternative route"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2024: To address the current acute shortage of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) people are facing in Manipur, authorities concerned must take up all necessary steps and find an alternative route for unhi-ndered transport, said retired Lt General Konsam Himalay.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, the retired Army officer said the transport of LPG and POL on Imphal-Jiribam road has been significantly reduced and this has caused shortage of the products, mostly cooking gas in almost all parts of the State.

If the road is not viable for transport of the products, then authorities concerned may use Imphal-Dimapur road as an alternate route for transport, he said.

LPG shortage "Explore alternative route"

Even though the situation is tense in Manipur due to the current crisis, it must not however affect the transport of LPG and POL into Manipur, he said.

LPG and POL are essential for people's daily life.

Any disturbance in the transport of LPG and POL would affect people of all communities in Manipur.

Distur- bing the transport of the essential products must be seen as an attack on people's right to life, he said.

In case the transport of products has been affected by the crisis, the authorities concerned must take up strict measures and streng-then security measures, he added.

Urging all civil bodies and authorities concerned to ensure free flow of LPG and POL into the State, Himalay mentioned that even during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia has not stopped selling gas to countries in Europe which oppose it.

The shortage of the LPG, if not addressed in time, may worsen and trigger a serious crisis, he said.

Meanwhile, empty tankers which were scheduled to leave Imphal for Jiribam didn't go today.

Notably, dozens of tankers are currently stuck at several places along Imphal-Jiribam road.

Dozens of tankers with CRPF escorts left Imphal on Thursday but these tankers are stuck at Noney and Shanti Khunou.

Due to unfavourable road conditions, several dozens of loaded LPG and POL tankers are also stuck along the Imphal-Jiribam road.

Amid all these issues, the already strained transport of the LPG and POL may further plunge with transporters likely to go on a cease work strike from August 1 against illegal collection of taxes on the Imphal-Jiribam road.

Sources said the taxes are being collected from the vehicles in presence of the security escorts along Imphal-Jiribam Highway.