Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 September 2024
As India progresses rapidly on the global stage in 2024, many regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, still grapple with basic necessities like LPG for cooking. The situation in Great Nicobar Island is becoming increasingly dire, with residents struggling to secure even the most essential commodity.
Great Nicobar, one of the largest islands in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar, has over 2,600 LPG connections. However, the last consignment of 2,000 LPG cylinders was delivered to the island on July 22, 2024. Nearly two months later, the next shipment expected to reach the island contains only 120 cylinders—an absurdly inadequate number for a population of this size.
120 Cylinders for 2,600+ Connections: Is This Logical?
The discrepancy is glaring. How can 120 LPG cylinders meet the needs of an island with more than 2,600 connections? This situation defies logic, raising concerns about the authorities’ handling of essential supplies.
The upcoming festival season adds to the island’s woes. Durga Puja is one of the most significant community celebrations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, especially in Great Nicobar, where it draws large crowds to two major pandals with accompanying fairs. Every year, residents eagerly look forward to the festivities. However, with the current shortage, where many households are running on the last fumes of their LPG cylinders, the joy of celebration may be overshadowed by uncertainty and anxiety.
Businesses are already facing hardships, and residents are rationing their cooking to save gas. This is not the scenario one expects in any part of the country, let alone an area with such potential for growth.
How Will the 120 Cylinders Be Distributed?
A critical question now looms over the island: how will these 120 cylinders be distributed? With every household in need, it is unclear how the authorities will prioritise the limited supply. The likely result will be intense competition among residents, with each person claiming that their need is greater than others’.
The demand for LPG on Great Nicobar is straightforward: 3,000 domestic cylinders are urgently needed, along with an additional supply of commercial cylinders to support local businesses during the festive season. Anything less than this will exacerbate the crisis, leaving residents and businesses alike in a precarious situation.
Insufficient Supply on Upcoming Vessel:
There is a glimmer of hope, as the cargo vessel ‘Ebrahim Ali Hussain’ is reportedly set to sail for Great Nicobar soon, carrying petrol and a limited supply of LPG. However, the amount of LPG the vessel can accommodate is reportedly insufficient to meet the island’s demand. With the festival season around the corner, the administration must act swiftly. They need to ensure that the required 3,000 domestic and adequate commercial cylinders are shipped to the island immediately on ‘Ebrahim Ali Hussain’.
The residents of Great Nicobar are facing an avoidable crisis. With trained officers and well-established systems in place, there is no reason why such basic necessities should be neglected. The administration must prioritise the essential needs of the islanders to avoid further hardship.
In a time of rapid development across the country, it is unacceptable for regions like Great Nicobar to be left behind, especially when it comes to something as basic as cooking fuel. Immediate action is necessary to address this crisis before it spirals out of control.