LPG bottling plant storage capacity augmented
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 24 2015: As the process of augmenting the storage capacity of Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant has been completed, the work of unloading LPG from bullet trucks to the bottling plant would be done 16 hours a day.

At present the work of unloading LPG to the bottling plant from bullet trucks is limited to eight hours a day.

The original storage capacity of the bottling plant is 800 metric tonnes comprising of four bullet tanks of 200 MT capacity and these bullet tanks are kept above land surface, informed an official source.

Now the storage capacity has been augmented by constructing two earth pit storage tanks with a view to make up back-logs in LPG supply.

The storage capacity of each earth pit storage tank is 300 MT each.

The two earth pit storage tanks were commissioned in the month of April this year.

Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant

After the two new storage tanks were commissioned, necessary measures have been initiated to enhance LPG transportation into the state in bullet trucks.

From January 1 next year, unloading of LPG from bullet trucks to the bottling plant would be done 16 hours a day in two shifts.

Moreover, the volume of LPG transportation into the State would be enhanced.

At present, around 100 bullet trucks are engaged in transporting LPG from Assam to Manipur.

Due proce- dures have been initiated to engage another 50 more LPG bullet trucks, informed the source.

Tender process for selection of 50 new bullet trucks is nearing completion.

The total number of bullet trucks engaged for transportation of LPG would rise to 150 in October.

There are altogether 62 LPG distributors in Manipur and a total of 314533 active consumers are registered with them.

Out of them, 240916 consumers have completed DBTL procedures and are enjoying Government subsidy.

Monthly LPG demand for the State's 314533 active consumers is 2200 MT and monthly refill capacity of Sekmai Bottling Plant is 1800 MT.

IOC has been working to make up this supply deficit and ensure 12 LPG refills to all consumers in a year.

But how fruitful the new efforts would be remains questionable in view of the State's law and order situation and frequent disturbances on national highways.