By TC News Desk
Agartala, 4th May 2024: The implementation of a petrol rationing system by the state government has plunged the lives of citizens into disarray, with the closure of the Agartala-Sabroom National Highway on Saturday afternoon exacerbating the situation. Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Assam have severed communication links, leading to a halt in railway services and highway operations. Consequently, fuel tankers are unable to reach the state, exacerbating the fuel crisis.
The introduction of a petrol rationing system by the state government has thrown the lives of citizens into turmoil, with the closure of the vital Agartala-Sabroom National Highway compounding the situation on Saturday afternoon. Landslides induced by relentless rainfall in Assam have rendered the highway impassable, halting both railway and highway operations. Consequently, fuel tankers destined for the state remain stranded, exacerbating the fuel crisis gripping the region.
The scarcity of diesel and petrol at every petrol pump in the state has resulted in extensive queues, with drivers enduring lengthy waits under the scorching sun to refuel their vehicles. At the Bishalgarh petrol pump, a substantial queue of bikers and motorists snaked beyond the pump and onto the road, causing significant traffic disruptions. Despite efforts by Bishalgarh traffic police personnel to manage the congestion, the sheer volume of motorists proved overwhelming.
Compounding the issue, while legitimate petrol pumps struggle to meet demand, reports suggest an abundance of fuel available on the black market, albeit at exorbitant prices. Despite widespread complaints from drivers, the authorities have yet to take decisive action to curb the illegal trade in diesel and petrol.
The chaos on the Agartala-Sabroom National Highway persists, with vehicles from both directions remaining gridlocked due to the lengthy queues at the Bishalgarh petrol pump. Some drivers have alleged that petrol pumps are clandestinely selling fuel at inflated prices during the night, though these claims have been refuted by pump authorities.
The fuel crisis shows no signs of abating, leaving motorists and commuters grappling with uncertainty and inconvenience as they navigate through the state’s petrol rationing measures amidst the backdrop of logistical challenges and black market activities.
