News Release Details

MoP&NG ensures dispatch of loaded POL trucks on open wagons to Tripura; mitigates fuel crisis
New Delhi   11-Aug-2016


The supply of petroleum products to the state of Tripura has been severely affected due to the heavy rains and the washing away of the highway – NH 44, leading to the state. Reaching fuel to the rain ravaged state has become a herculean task after a large portion of the road has been washed away. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG), after a thorough review on the availability of POL products in the state, has paved the way for movement of petroleum products by rail to mitigate the impending crisis.

MoP&NG in deliberations with the State Government has organized the transportation of POL products through – RORO- (Roll On Roll Off), wherein the trucks carrying bulk products and LPG cylinders are loaded on open railway wagons for fuel movement. The rake carrying IndianOil POL trucks was flagged off from Bhanga, Assam to reach Churaibari, Tripura today. Despite the prohibitive costs, IndianOil has undertaken this initiative to bolster the supply of petroleum products in Tripura.

Simultaneously, as per MoP&NG’s advice, IndianOil trucks are also being re-routed to Tripura through the alternate circuitous route, reserved exclusively for POL and LPG movement. However, this has resulted in increased turn-around time of all trucks. An alternate route via Bangladesh has been identified for fuel transportation in future, during such exigencies. This is under finalization with MEA, Government of India.

Traditionally, IndianOil supplies POL products to Tripura from its depot at Dharmanagar (Tripura). Since October 2014, the products are received at Dharamanagar Depot from IndianOil’s Guwahati depot (Betkuchi) by road, after the suspension of the rail movement due to track conversion from Metre Gauge (MG) to Broad Gauge (BG). Though Railways have restored the section for passenger traffic, the POL movement has yet not been restored.