Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 21 April 2024
Residents of Great Nicobar Island are grappling with a shortage of petrol as the lone petrol pump on the island announced its unavailability just a day after the conclusion of Lok Sabha Election Poll. Managed by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd. (ANIIDCO Ltd.), the petrol pump serves as the primary source of fuel for the island’s inhabitants.
According to insider information, the monthly demand for petrol on Great Nicobar Island stands at a substantial 20,000 litres. However, the island recently faced a critical shortfall as the last shipment of 25 drums of petrol, sourced from Katchal Island, arrived on April 10, 2024. This shipment was procured as a temporary measure to meet fuel demands during the election period.
It’s worth noting that ANIIDCO Ltd. had dispatched petrol from Port Blair to Campbell Bay in February 2024, but no further consignments were sent until the loaned petrol arrived from Katchal Island in April.
Despite regular reports on fuel stock levels sent to the Assistant Commissioner of Great Nicobar by the ANIIDCO Ltd. Petrol Pump, the continuous availability of petrol was not ensured.
The lack of petrol has caused significant inconvenience to residents, underscoring the need for more responsible governance and infrastructure planning in the region. Access to fuel is indispensable in modern society, particularly in remote areas like Great Nicobar Island.
Fuel shortages are not unprecedented in the Nicobar District, yet authorities have not implemented permanent solutions to address such recurring crises. Suggestions have been made to establish large dedicated storage facilities on all inhabited isolated islands, providing a buffer against future shortages.
Fortunately, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon for Great Nicobar Island. Sources indicate that a batch of 100 drums of petrol is expected to arrive on the island by Tuesday or Wednesday, potentially alleviating the current crisis. Additionally, plans are underway to transport another batch of petrol to the island shortly thereafter.
As residents eagerly await the resupply of petrol, questions linger about the long-term sustainability of fuel distribution in the region and the necessity for proactive measures to prevent future shortages.