IMPHAL Jan 30: Marketing Director of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), G C Daga stated that there is no dearth of petroleum products but the law and order situation in Manipur has led to the man made scarcity of essential fuel in the state.
Addressing a press conference held at Classic Hotel today , the MD further stated that he met the Chief Minister today and appraised him of the situation IOC is dealing with at present about the fuel situation and talked about the difficulties faced by the truckers and stake holders, specially the law and order situation along the NH 39 . He voiced confidently that plans have been chalked out and there will be no shortage of petroleum products in the state in future and that arrangements have been made to ensure regular supply.
Stating that the IOC is responsible for uninterrupted supply of fuel including LPG, he said that during the fuel scarcity faced by the Manipuri public since April last, the company took initiatives to augment supplies and even airlifted turbine and aircraft fuel along with moving fuel convoys with security escort.
The backlog of fuel has been substantially reduced but recent incidents like the abduction of truck crews have caused LPG transport to come to a standstill presently but a meeting with the transporters has been held in the regard and the IOC feels the need to augment the infrastructure in public interest, he said.
The Marketing Director in purview of maintaining proper stock of fuel in the state announced that the Sekmai Gas Bottling Plant will be upgraded by erecting two more storage tanks with an estimated budget of 35 crores. The addition to the plant will be completed within December 2012 and will have an additional stock capacity for one month supply for the LPG consumers, he said.
He also stated that, a site has been purchased at Malom by the Indian Oil Corporation for storing petroleum products and after getting necessary clearance from the concerned authorities including environmental clearance, the storage facility will have a capacity for two months supply, the Malom storage site was chosen to avoid traffic congestion, he said.
Replying to queries about truckers taking the alternate NH 53 route, the MD expressed that the NH 39 is more convenient for transport especially if the armed security guards provide adequate cover.
Nearly 300 trucks and 74 bullet trucks are plying along the National Highway 39 and bringing in the state fuel and LPG at present. There is enough fuel in the state and the stocks are full also to ensure proper distribution. There is a total of 1008 kilo litres of Petrol, 2020 kilolitres of Kerosene and 2012 kilolitres of Diesel of reserve stock in the state at present.
