Aizawl, 17 September (HS): Due to the strike of tankers coming to Mizoram with petroleum products, a severe crisis of petroleum products has arisen in the state. Long queues of vehicles are being seen at the petrol pumps of the state.

Especially in almost all the petrol pumps of the capital Aizawl, the stock of petroleum products has been exhausted. This strike has been done due to the poor condition of National Highways No. 306 and 6. Mizoram Oil Tanker Drivers Association (MOTDA) and Petroleum Entrepreneurs and Transporters Union of Mizoram (PETUM) had called for an indefinite ban on the operation of tankers in the state from September 17, demanding immediate improvement of the respective national highways, three days ago. Today, due to the suspension of tanker operations, there is a shortage of fuel in Mizoram.

Meanwhile, the Food and Civil Supplies Department of Mizoram has appealed to the people not to panic about the supply of petroleum products. The government is making arrangements to get petrol and diesel from other districts.

MOTDA and PETUM officials had decided to stop the tankers in a meeting held in Aizawl on the evening of September 13. In the meeting, the officials of both the organizations expressed concern over the poor condition of National Highway No. 306 and 6. The condition of loaded trucks, containers, oil tankers running on bad roads has become very bad.

During this time, many tankers got stuck in a heavily muddy road on the national highway connecting Konpui and Sairang city. As a result, fuel has run out at many petrol pumps in the state. Petrol pump owners say that if the situation remains the same and tankers do not arrive, the pumps will have to be closed in a day or two. They allege that no steps are being taken by the government to improve the roads.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Chief Minister Lalduhoma held a meeting with the representatives of tanker driver organizations and assured them of repairing the roads soon. He said that the condition of the roads has deteriorated due to continuous heavy rains and landslides in the state. The government is going to make arrangements to repair it soon. Despite the Chief Minister's assurance, the tanker drivers did not start operating the tankers. Due to which the situation has become more complicated.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash