Freight train derailment: Tripura Govt announces temporary Patrol rationing, public co-op sought
The Government of Tripura announced a temporary petrol rationing system due to the derailment of a goods train, which caused extensive damage to the rail tracks. In a video message on Saturday, Transport Minister of Tripura Sushanta Chowdhury informed the citizens. The Minister sought people’s cooperation to this end.
He said, a freight train derailment in the Lumding-Badarpur section of the Northeast Frontier Railway has caused extensive damage, impacting nearly 4-5 kilometers of the railway line. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has led to the temporary suspension of essential commodity transportation, including petroleum products, leaving authorities scrambling to restore normalcy. The disruption has affected crucial supplies to Tripura, forcing the authorities to implement a temporary petrol rationing system.
Railway officials have stated that extensive repair work on the affected section is underway with all necessary resources mobilized. Crews are working "on a war footing" to fix the damaged tracks, and the repairs are progressing rapidly to minimize the downtime. According to the Northeast Frontier Railway, freight services in the region are expected to resume by November 13, 2024, pending successful completion of repairs and safety checks.
| Watch Video message of Sushanta Chowdhury here |
Meanwhile, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has activated contingency plans to address the fuel shortage resulting from the halted rail services. IOC officials have arranged for the transportation of petrol and diesel by road from several depots in Assam, including Guwahati, Betkuchi, Lumding, and Silchar.
However, logistical challenges and high demand have stretched fuel supplies, especially in district depots, including the main IOC facility in Dharmanagar. As a result, the state government has implemented a temporary rationing system for petrol sales across the state, beginning on November 10, 2024.
A press release issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Welfare has reassured the public, urging residents not to panic or hoard petroleum products. "The temporary rationing is a precautionary measure to ensure that fuel stocks last until railway services are restored," the statement reads. "We request the public’s cooperation and advise against excessive purchasing during this period."
The rationing system will continue until the transportation of essential supplies through the railways resumes, alleviating the pressure on road transport routes. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation to assess the adequacy of the temporary measures and maintain an uninterrupted supply of essentials.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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