Northeast Desk, 11th May: Tripura grapples with a severe fuel crisis as goods train services to the northeastern state remain suspended since April 26, following the derailment of a goods train in Assam’s Jatinga area. Although passenger train services remain unaffected, the halt in goods train operations has exacerbated the fuel shortage, prompting the state government to implement rationing measures.
Nirmal Adhikari, Director of the Food and Civil Supplies department, expressed concerns over the prolonged disruption, stating that the fuel crisis persists with no clear timeline for the resumption of goods train services. Rationing measures have been instituted, with specific daily fuel allocations for different categories of vehicles to manage the dwindling fuel reserves.
To mitigate the crisis, the department has augmented the deployment of oil tankers to transport fuel from Guwahati and Silchar. Currently, 60% of the state’s total fuel demand is being met through tanker transportation. However, Adhikari warned of potential shortages of essential items, including rice, if the railway line remains inoperative beyond the coming week.
In response to the escalating situation, police vigilance has been intensified at petrol pumps to ensure equitable distribution of fuel. Recent incidents of violence, including a lathi charge on agitated motorcyclists unable to procure petrol at a city-based fuel outlet, underscore the urgency of the situation.
In a glimmer of hope, Transport Department Additional Secretary Subrata Chowdhury announced that a goods train carrying 30 wagons of petrol and 19 wagons of diesel has successfully crossed Jatinga. However, the exact time of its arrival in Agartala remains uncertain.
Despite assurances from officials, Sabyasachi Dey, Chief Public Relations Officer of NorthEast Frontier (NFR), clarified that the restoration of goods train services is still pending due to ongoing repair works. While progress is being made expeditiously, challenges related to weight distribution on the damaged track impede the immediate resumption of services.
Chief Minister Manik Saha has urgently appealed to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the swift restoration of goods train services to alleviate the fuel crisis gripping the state. As Tripura grapples with the repercussions of the disruption, concerted efforts are underway to expedite the restoration of vital transportation links and alleviate the hardships faced by residents.