Rahul Singh & Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, March 17: Tension briefly gripped Campbell Bay on Tuesday after the local petrol pump reportedly stopped supplying petrol to the public following the appearance of a notice indicating a shortage of petroleum products in the subdivision.
According to reports, a notice displayed at the Campbell Bay petrol pump informed residents about a shortage of petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) in the area. The notice, said to be signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Campbell Bay, also urged residents not to panic over the situation.
However, the development appears to have had the opposite effect on the local population. Residents expressed concern and confusion after being informed that petrol would not be supplied to the public until further notice.
Campbell Bay, located in the remote Nicobar district, like other Islands, relies heavily on vehicular transport for daily activities. A significant portion of the local population—including small traders, delivery operators, daily wage earners and employees—depend on two-wheelers and other vehicles to earn their livelihood and travel for work.
Local residents questioned the decision to stop the fuel supply entirely. “If petrol is not available, how will people travel or earn their daily income?” several residents asked while expressing concern over the situation.
Traditionally, during periods when fuel supply disruptions are anticipated in remote island regions, authorities often introduce temporary control measures to prevent panic and ensure equitable distribution. These measures typically include limiting the quantity of fuel sold per person or implementing rationing systems so that available stock can last until the next supply shipment arrives.
However, residents claim that instead of introducing such control measures, the petrol pump has reportedly been instructed not to provide petrol to the public at all.
Some local sources also suggested that the petrol pump may still have approximately three kilolitres (KL) of petrol in reserve. This has further raised questions among residents about why the supply has been halted completely when some stock may still be available.
The sudden suspension of fuel supply has sparked concerns about possible gaps in planning and coordination between the petrol pump management and the local administration. Residents fear that if the situation continues for long, it could severely affect transportation and daily life in the region.
The impact of the situation is expected to be particularly difficult for elderly residents, daily wage workers, and individuals who depend on vehicles for essential services such as medical visits, supply deliveries and work-related travel.
With uncertainty growing, residents of Campbell Bay are demanding greater clarity from the authorities regarding the actual status of fuel availability and the expected timeline for restoration of normal supply.
When contacted by the Andaman Sheekha team, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Grewal, former Adhyaksh of Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, said that instead of completely halting the fuel supply, the administration should consider introducing a rationing system. He suggested that petrol could be distributed in limited quantities to the public so that essential activities and livelihoods are not severely affected. Mr. Grewal also urged the authorities to ensure that the fuel supply ship reaches Campbell Bay at the earliest. “Until fresh stock arrives, the available quantity should be issued in a controlled and rationed manner so that daily life in the region does not come to a standstill,” he said.
As of now, the key question among residents remains how long the disruption will continue and what measures will be taken to ensure that essential fuel supplies are restored without further delay.
