Tripura facing fuel crisis as goods train services not yet restored: Official

Tripura faces fuel crisis due to halted goods train services, leading to rationing and increased oil tanker transportation

Tripura is facing a fuel crisis as goods train services to the northeastern State have not yet been restored, an official of the Food and Civil Supplies department said on May 11.

The service to the State stopped on April 26 after derailment of a goods train in Assam's Jatinga area but the passenger train service remains unaffected.

"The fuel crisis remains as it was earlier. The petrol crisis is severe as goods trains are not coming to the state since April 26. We don't know when the track will be ready for resumption of goods train service fully," Director of Food and Civil Supplies department, Nirmal Adhikari said.

The State government started rationing petrol and diesel for two-wheelers, cars and commercial vehicles from April 30.

A notification issued by the state government said two-wheelers and three-wheelers would get petrol amounting to ₹200 per day, while for four-wheelers it is ₹500 per day. For buses and minibuses, it is 60 litres and 40 litres per day. For 12 wheel, 10 wheel and six wheel trucks it is 80 litres, 60 litres and 45 litres per day respectively.

Mr. Adhikari said the department has taken steps to increase oil tankers to bring more petrol from Guwahati and Silchar to tide over the crisis.

"Now, we are bringing 60% of the state's total fuel demand by using oil tankers. If the railway line is not fully operational by next week, there will be shortage of essential items including rice", he said.