Tripura faces a potential fuel crisis as a BMS-backed strike disrupts operations at IOCL’s Dharmanagar depot. The Youth Congress demands urgent restoration and government intervention to prevent shortages and ease public suffering across Agartala and other parts of the state.
The Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress (TPYC) on Friday voiced strong concerns over a potential fuel crisis across Agartala city and other parts of the state following a disruption in operations at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) depot in Dharmanagar. The stoppage of activities, reportedly caused by internal clashes within the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), has halted the supply of petrol and diesel for two consecutive days, triggering widespread apprehension among transporters and consumers.
In a memorandum submitted to the West Tripura District Magistrate, TPYC President Neel Kamal Saha alleged that the IOCL depot had been non-functional for the past two days due to infighting among members of the BMS — a labour wing affiliated with the ruling party. The organization accused the BMS of creating “an artificial crisis” that could severely disrupt fuel supply chains if not immediately addressed.
According to Saha, tensions escalated when a factional clash broke out among BMS members stationed at the Dharmanagar depot. “Several oil tanker drivers were reportedly attacked and injured during the scuffle, leading to the complete suspension of loading operations for both petrol and diesel,” the TPYC leader said. The violence not only endangered the lives of the workers but also forced authorities to halt activities to prevent further unrest in the industrial zone.
Public Concern Mounts Over Fuel Shortage
The Youth Congress warned that Tripura could face a severe fuel shortage if the government fails to restore normal operations at the depot. “Petrol pumps in several areas of Agartala and nearby towns have already started running dry, forcing motorists to queue for hours,” Saha added. The party emphasized that the common people are suffering due to what it termed a “politically motivated disruption” within the ruling party’s labour union.
In its memorandum, the TPYC urged the district administration and the state government to intervene immediately and restore normalcy at the IOCL depot. “The ongoing disruption is not a workers’ movement but a consequence of political infighting within the BMS, and it is unfair that the citizens are paying the price,” the Youth Congress stated.
Local sources also confirmed that the loading and refilling of tankers had been stalled for two days, leading to logistical bottlenecks in petroleum distribution across the state. Several petrol pump owners in Agartala told Tripura Times that oil tanker drivers were waiting near Dharmanagar for clearance to transport fuel to different depots and retail outlets. “We have not received a fresh supply since Wednesday morning. If this continues, we will be forced to close operations temporarily,” said one fuel station owner.
Administrative Intervention Brings Partial Relief
However, by Friday evening, reports suggested that administrative intervention helped partially resolve the issue. According to sources, after district officials and police held talks with representatives of BMS and IOCL management, limited activities resumed at the Dharmanagar depot. “Oil tankers were allowed to start refilling, and movement of tankers is expected to resume from Friday night,” an official source said.
While this temporary resolution has offered some relief, the Youth Congress maintained that the state government must take firm steps to prevent such politically driven disruptions in the future. The party demanded accountability from both the IOCL management and the state labour department, urging them to ensure that the fuel supply network remains insulated from political conflicts.
“The strike has highlighted serious vulnerabilities in the state’s energy distribution chain. If essential fuel supplies can be halted due to internal disputes, it raises questions about administrative preparedness,” the TPYC said. The organization called for an official inquiry into the circumstances leading to the suspension and urged the government to hold those responsible for the violence accountable.
Possible Ripple Effects Across the State
Experts have warned that even short-term disruptions at a major oil depot like Dharmanagar can have long-term economic impacts. A senior official from the state transport department said, “Tripura’s supply chain heavily depends on uninterrupted fuel distribution from Dharmanagar. Any prolonged halt can cripple essential services, including transportation of food, medicines, and emergency logistics.”
Residents, meanwhile, expressed growing frustration as petrol pumps reported long queues and limited supplies. “We waited for over an hour to refuel. The government should not allow such issues to escalate,” said an Agartala resident.
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The situation remains under watch, with authorities closely monitoring the restoration process. The TPYC reiterated its call for sustained administrative oversight to ensure that public convenience and essential services are not compromised again due to intra-union or political disputes.
