Freight train derailed: Temporary Petrol Rationing in Effect

Agartala, Nov 09, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agartala: Nov 09: The Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Welfare wishes to inform the public about the temporary petrol rationing system being implemented across the state due to the ongoing disruption in freight transportation services. A recent freight train derailment on the Lumding-Badarpur section of the Northeast Frontier Railway has resulted in significant damage to approximately 4-5 kilometers of railway track, halting the transportation of essential commodities, including petroleum products, by rail for the past few days.

In response to this disruption, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has been importing petrol and diesel into the state via tanker trucks from Guwahati, Betkuchi, Lumding, and Silchar depots in Assam. Despite these efforts, there has been a low stock of petrol at the IOCL depot in Dharmanagar, and petrol pumps across various districts of the state are facing shortages.

As a precautionary measure, a temporary rationing system for petrol sales has been implemented starting November 10, 2024. This system is necessary to ensure the equitable distribution of limited petrol supplies until normal rail freight services are restored. It is expected that railway authorities will complete the repair work on the damaged railway track by November 13, 2024, allowing freight services to resume.

The Department urges all members of the public to refrain from panic buying of petrol and to cooperate with the rationing measures to avoid unnecessary strain on the available stock. Petrol pumps are requested to adhere to the rationing guidelines and ensure that the distribution is done fairly and efficiently.