Transporters, dealers, drivers discuss imminent fuel crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 15 2023:
With artificial fuel scarcity imminent in the coming few days after petroleum tanker drivers launched steering off strike following the October 9 firing incident along Imphal-Jiribam road near Nungba, petroleum product transporters, dealers and drivers convened a joint meeting and urged government to bring a solution.
The joint meeting held at Hotel Nirmala, here, on Sunday was attended by representatives of All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters' Association, All Manipur Bulk LPG Transporters' Association, All Manipur Petroleum Products Drivers' Association, All Manipur Bulk LPG Drivers' Association, All Manipur Indian Oil Retail Outlet Dealers' Association, All Manipur BPCL Dealers cum Transporters' Association, All Manipur HPCL Dealers cum Transporters' Association and All Manipur Nyara Energy Dealers cum Transporters' Association.
Regarding the meeting, All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters' Association president A Tamphayai told media persons that petroleum product transporters, dealers and drivers were compelled to convene a joint meeting to discuss the likely artificial fuel crisis after petroleum tanker drivers ceased service following the October 9 firing incident at Nungba and no loading and unloading of petroleum products has been done at the Malom depot.
The meeting also discussed possibility of petroleum tankers operating along Imphal-Jiribam road if the government provides adequate security and escort, he said.
According to Tamphayai, 90 percent of fuel pumps in the state exhausted their stock with the remaining retail outlets also likely to suspend sale in the coming few days as there is no supply from Malom depot.
To prevent imminent fuel crisis, the government must look into the problem and solve the matter at the earliest,' he said, adding that drivers will no longer tolerate frequent torture, harassment and firing by unidentified miscreants along the national highways.
A petroleum tanker driver, who took part in the joint meeting, told media persons that drivers could resume service if the government provides adequate security and full convoy.
The driver also said that situation along the national highways will worsen if firing attacks on drivers continue.
On the other-hand, petroleum dealers, transporters and convenors of LPG have urged the state government to resolve the cease work strike launched by the drivers of petroleum products after they were attacked by armed miscreants along Imphal-Jiri Road, before hike in prices of petroleum products creates problem in the state.
A memorandum highlighting various demands was submitted jointly by IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Nayara Energy and Balk LPG to the chief minister, CAF&PD minister, chief secretary, security advisor and DGP.
The memorandum mentioned that agitation by the drivers not to supply petroleum products to retail outlets will continue until all the demands mentioned in the memorandum are fulfilled.
It also said that around 90 percent of retail outlets are facing shortage of petrol and a couple of retail outlets also has petrol for only a few days.
This will ultimately bring about an artificial/ manmade hike in price of petroleum products in the state if the government does not intervene timely.
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