Tripura to ration petrol from tomorrow; restrictions to be lifted post resumption of regular goods train services through Assam   

“The railway authorities have taken all necessary steps to repair the railway line and work has been started at war footing in the area. It is expected that goods transport through the affected segment would be reused from November 13,” he said in a statement.

It added that the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) has been importing petrol and diesel through the road network from Guwahati, Betkuchi, Lumping, and Silchar for the last few days.

“Since there is less petrol stocks… at petrol pumps in different sub-divisions of the state including the IOCL depot at Dharmanagar, rationing system will be temporarily introduced in sale of petrol from November 10. The public is appealed to follow this rationing system,” the notification added.

It further said that the rationing restrictions would be in place till the supply of petrochemical products to Tripura resumed via railways.

The government has also appealed to people to refrain from panic purchase of petrol.

Later in the day, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said two-wheelers would get petrol worth Rs 200 per day during the rationing period, three-wheelers would get petrol worth Rs 400 per day while four-wheelers would be allowed to purchase petrol worth Rs 1,000 on a daily basis.

In a video shared from his social media page, Chowdhury said, “I spoke to the GM (general manager) of Northeast Frontier Railway yesterday (Friday) over the telephone. He assured me that the maintenance work in the area would be completed by November 13. We have diesel in our stock… for a few more days, but the petrol stock is less and that’s why we are bound to introduce some restrictions till November 13.”

The minister also warned against malpractices during this period and said surprise inspections would be held in different areas to curb black marketing.

Earlier in May, Tripura had taken recourse to motor fuel rationing after supply lines were hit due to landslides in Assam. A fortnight after the restrictions were imposed, Tripura withdrew fuel rationing on May 15.

Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides. The state is connected to mainland India through Assam and the ‘Chicken Neck’ of Siliguri in West Bengal. Any disruption in the route leads to transportation crises in the northeastern state.