Mizoram faces fuel shortage as truckers cease operations due to poor roads
Guwahati: Mizoram has been facing acute shortage of fuel and other essential commodities as oil tankers and goods carrying trucks are not able to cross a stretch of the national highway leading to the state due to poor condition of the stretch of road.
A stretch of the National Highway-306 (NH-306) and National Highway-6 (NH-6) between Kawnpui and Khamrang in Kolasib district are in a dilapidated condition needing urgent repair.
The Mizoram Oil Tanker Drivers’ Association (MOTDA) and the Petroleum Entrepreneurs and Transporters’ Union of Mizoram (PETUM) had decided not to operate their vehicles along the stretch of the road from Tuesday (September 17, 2024).
According to the truckers, the Kawnpui-Sairang stretch on NH-306 and NH-6 are in such a condition that transporting fuel through it is not feasible.
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They said the poor condition of the road poses risk to the lives of the truck drivers.
On the other hand, the oil tanker drivers fear that there may be spillage of oil from their vehicles due to the bumpy condition of the road.
The truckers said they decided not to ply on this stretch for the safety of their drivers and the local populace.
Meanwhile, the majority of the oil stations in state capital Aizawl ran out of stock on Tuesday creating trouble for the motorists.
However, barring Aizawl, the Mizoram government has regulated the purchase of oil in other districts of the hill state.
The concerned department while urging the public not to panic said the state government has been taking all necessary measures to repair the stretch of the road at the earliest.