Finding no other solution to the ongoing fuel crisis in India’s northeastern state of Tripura, the state government has proposed that the federal government get essential commodities via Bangladesh, according to a senior minister here Sunday.
Published : 04 Jul 2016, 05:21 AM
“We and IOC have proposed to New Delhi that it discuss with Dhaka the transport of essential fuel and cooking gas from Assam’s Guwahati by road via Dawki (Meghalaya-Bangladesh) border to Raghna (Tripura-Bangladesh) border,” said Tripura Food and Civil Supply Minister Bhanu Lal Saha while speaking to reporters.,
“This will not only reduce the distance but we can also avoid the stretch of 10 km road in Assam which is creating the problem. If the road opens up temporarily it will be a relief for us. In the meantime the central government can complete the work of repairing the national highway.”
Landlocked Tripura. which is surrounded by Bangladesh from three sides, for the past one month has been reeling under a severe fuel and LPG crisis as supplies from neighbouring Assam by tankers have almost come to a stop due to the dilapidated conditions of the NH 44 highway on the Assam-Tripura border.
Saha added that the Tripura government after discussions with the state-run Indian Oil Company (IOC) proposed the alternative way to get essential commodities via Bangladesh by avoiding the NH44 in Assam-Tripura border, which is in a dilapidated condition. Moreover, rail links have also come to a halt due to conversion work.
Last year, confronted with a similar situation, Tripura received a buffer stock of 10,000 MT rice via Bangladesh waterways and roads.