Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 10 October 2023
In a significant development impacting the transportation of essential fuel, several contracted transporters working with the Port Blair Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited and various LPG agencies have officially communicated their refusal to carry Petrol, High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and LPG cylinders beyond the Baratang area in North and Middle Andaman District.
The decision comes as a direct response to the alarming deterioration of National Highway-4 (NH-4), the only road connecting the region. Transporters have expressed grave concerns about the safety of both vehicles and personnel while traversing the treacherous road conditions.
In their letters addressed to the respective authorities, the transporters and LPG agencies refused to transport shipments beyond Baratang, citing the increased risk posed by the crumbling infrastructure.
Mr. Abdul Siddique, Secretary of CCS Ltd., a prominent transport company, elaborated on the dire situation. He revealed that the condition of the road has worsened to a point where transporting LPG cylinders has become an extremely hazardous endeavor. Each time a truck returns from North and Middle Andaman, it incurs a staggering maintenance cost ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000. Additionally, drivers and helpers have expressed their unwillingness to jeopardise their lives under such perilous circumstances.
Mr. Mohd. Jadwet of Jadwet Trading Company echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that even transporters responsible for Petrol (MS), HSD have joined the boycott of shipments beyond Baratang due to the abysmal road conditions. Mr. Jadwet explained that the state of the road no longer meets safety standards for the transportation of hazardous materials like Petrol & HSD. Transporters face numerous daily challenges, making the transportation of these goods neither safe nor economically viable.
This collective action by transporters and LPG agencies raises concerns about a potential shortage of Petrol (MS), HSD and LPG in the North and Middle Andaman District. The region now faces the pressing challenge of addressing the deteriorating road conditions to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of essential supplies.
The hope revived by NHIDCL is withering away due to the contractors on ground meant to obey, rather than rule the dispensations responsible for getting getting things going. Our Chief Secretary, though capable is made to depend upon Hon’ble LG, who shies away from responsibility towards the populace as an Adminstrator and towards the retired civil and defense fraternity, in a holistic way. These are my personal views with an experience of at least 10 years of stay in Port Blair and personal interaction with the Hon’ble LG- Lt Col Sudeep Singh Madra (Retd).
Allow copy paste. I don’t want to waste time redrafting.