Tripura continued to suffer from massive petrol, diesel and LPG crises on Monday, with thousands of oil tankers and trucks getting stranded on the damaged stretch of the Assam-Agartala National Highway.
Officials also fear a possible shortage of essential commodities, if the problem persists for another week.
“Some petrol tankers are making a gradual approach through a muddy road, but it is a time-consuming process”, an official of foods and civil supply department told The Hindu .
Meanwhile, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) plans to bring petroleum products to Tripura through Bangladesh. However, this will take days to receive sanction from the Indian and Bangladesh governments, according to sources.
The Assam government has roped in the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation to tackle the problem.
Last week, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, during a visit to Silchar in lower Assam, took stock of the situation.
‘5,000 vehicles stranded’
Tripura officials have said that around 5,000 transport vehicles are stranded on the Assam side. The transport workers are reportedly suffering from food and water shortage.
As a security measure, forces have been deployed in petrol stations and depots.
The situation has also given the Tripura opposition parties an opportunity to take on the CPI(M)-led Left front government. On Monday, Trinamool Congress leaders and workers staged a demonstration near Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s official residence in Agartala over the State’s handling of the issue.
