Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 November 2025
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has raised serious concerns over the acute shortage and irregular supply of essential fuels across the islands. In a meeting with officials of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) from the Kolkata Regional Office, currently visiting Sri Vijaya Puram, he called for immediate corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel and LPG (both domestic and commercial).
The MP said that the persistent fuel crisis has adversely impacted consumers, PRI representatives, tourism operators, hotels, commercial sectors and particularly residents of remote islands. He stated that the existing supply chain mechanism has failed to operate efficiently, resulting in delays and uncertainty in inter-island fuel distribution, especially in the Nicobar group and North & Middle Andaman.
During the discussions, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray pointed out several critical gaps. He said Swaraj Dweep requires a dedicated cargo boat for LPG transportation and a 10,000-cylinder storage facility to meet the high domestic and tourism-related demand. He also highlighted that over 230 LPG consumers in Long Island lack an authorised distribution channel and are forced to travel to Rangat for refills, losing up to two days in the process. Calling for doorstep or local delivery arrangements, he further urged IOCL to set up a petrol and diesel outlet in the area at the earliest.
He reiterated long-pending demands for establishing a fuel outlet along the Betapur–Basantipur stretch, which continues to remain unserved. For North & Middle Andaman, he proposed creation of a central LPG storage godown at Mayabunder and additional depots between Baratang and Diglipur, including Kadamtala, along with assured supply to Baratang — a major tourist destination.
In Diglipur, where a lone LPG distributor caters to 14 panchayats, the MP demanded additional distributors to ensure timely delivery. He also raised concerns over limited operational hours of the ANIIDCO fuel outlet at Keralapuram and requested that another fuel station be established between Kalara Junction and Diglipur.
Highlighting difficulties in Little Andaman, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray said that irregular ship schedules have disrupted fuel availability for more than 6,500 LPG consumers, while commercial LPG supply remains inadequate for tourism and hospitality units. He urged IOCL to increase fuel-carrying ship trips, maintain a reserve stock of at least 6,000 cylinders monthly, and rectify short supplies of petrol and diesel.
Expressing grave concern for tribal islands including Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa, Katchal and Nancowry, the MP stated that petrol and diesel often arrive only after 4–6 months and LPG after nearly five months. Residents receive only 2–3 cylinders annually against their entitlement of 12, leading to long queues at supply centres. He also pointed to disputes between distributors and transport agencies, which further aggravate the crisis.
Calling the situation unacceptable, the MP urged IOCL officials to take the following actions on priority:
- Strengthen and streamline fuel supply chain logistics
- Establish new LPG storage facilities and fuel outlets in identified locations
- Increase cargo vessel frequency for petroleum product transportation
- Resolve distribution bottlenecks in coordination with A&N Administration
- Publish a transparent and fixed supply schedule for all islands
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray stressed that islanders are fully dependent on imported fuel, and supply disruptions severely affect daily life and economic activities. He requested IOCL to treat the matter as urgent and ensure reliable delivery of essential fuels across the Union Territory.
