By TC News Desk
Agartala, 9th November 2024: The Tripura Government announced new petrol rationing measures on Saturday following a major disruption in fuel supply after a train derailment caused extensive damage to a railway track in the Lumding-Badarpur section.
Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury reported that a recent train derailment had significantly damaged around five kilometers of track along the Assam-Tripura rail link in the Lumding-Badarpur region. “Due to this damage, essential goods, particularly petrol and diesel bound for Tripura, are now delayed. Railways are our primary mode of fuel transport, and according to the latest information, it may take three to four days to restore the affected track,” Chowdhury explained. He mentioned that railway authorities, including the General Manager of the Northeast Frontier Railway, assured him that the repair work would be completed by November 13, allowing fuel supplies to resume shortly thereafter.
With the state’s primary fuel depot in Dharmanagar, North District, nearing depletion, the government decided to implement petrol restrictions starting Sunday. Under the new rules, two-wheelers will be allowed to buy petrol worth Rs 200 daily, three-wheelers Rs 400, and four-wheelers Rs 1,000. Diesel supplies, however, remain unaffected for the time being.
Minister Chowdhury, who also oversees Food and Civil Supplies, said he has coordinated with key officials, including the Director of Indian Oil, to closely monitor the situation. Local authorities, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates, have been directed to increase monitoring and security at petrol stations to prevent hoarding or unrest.
“We seek the public’s cooperation and expect the situation to stabilize in about four days,” Chowdhury concluded.
