The road as well as rail connectivity between Tripura and other parts of the country via Assam and Meghalay that got severely disrupted for ladslips and flood due to incessant rains is limping to normalcy. Nevertheless the state government did not take chance and imposed rationing on fule purchase. But at the same time the state government on Wednesday also asked the people not to panic over disruption in the supply of essential commodities as the road connectivity was restored and stock of various essentials was sufficient. According to the officials, the road connectivity linking Tripura with Assam would become normal in the next one day or two if no fresh rainfall occurs.
Meanwhile, flash floods caused by incessant rainfall in some parts of lower Assam had badly affected the road connectivity with Tripura following which people were apprehending shortage of essential commodities as the supply was disrupted.
“The National Highway which was blocked due to landslides has already been cleared. The road is open now,” said Principal Secretary of the Transport department L.H. Darlong.
Addressing a press conference at the civil secretariat, Darlong said that the state government would request the central government for increasing the frequency of flights in Agartala- Guwahati, Agartala-Kolkata and Agartala- Delhi routes until the situation becomes normal.
He informed the media that the state government was in constant touch with the central government in this regard.
Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department Saradindu Choudhury informed that the stock of various essential commodities including fuel was sufficient in the state.
He said that regular monitoring was being conducted in the local markets and all the District Magistrates were already asked to keep an eye.
“There is no need to worry. To ensure supply of petroleum and food items, the state government is in regular contact with the Government of Assam, Indian Oil and FC1 authority. At this moment, the public distribution system has a stock of rice for 42 days, wheat for 38 days, sugar for 28 days, masoor dal for 41 days, salt for 33 days and kerosene oil for 10 days,” Chowdhury said.
Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department Tapan Kumar Das informed the media that daily demand for petrol in the state was 220 kl and diesel 350 kl.
“Different agencies in the state and Dharmanagar depot of IOCL have stock 1,638 kl of petrol and 2,184 kl of diesel as on today morning. IOCL authority has informed that 200 kl of petrol and required diesel is being supplied from their Mainarband depot. Besides that, arrangements are being made to bring petrol to the state from Guwahati,” he said.
Replying to a question, Das said, the IOCL already started sending petrol and diesel to Tripura through tankers from Guwahati and Silchar to prevent the possible shortage of fuel. He said, 19 tankers are already on the way.
Meanwhile, the stock for petrol would only last for eight days and diesel for five, which is a matter of concern, according to the officials.
They said, if necessary, the state government would take initiative to transport essentials through Chittagong port in Bangladesh.
