Sri Vijaya Puram, July 13:Residents of Great Nicobar are facing an acute shortage of domestic LPG cylinders, with fresh supplies reportedly not reaching the island for nearly two and a half months. The prolonged disruption has triggered growing concern among households, many of whom are struggling to manage without cooking gas. With no immediate restoration in sight, the crisis is now about to enter its third month, raising fears of further hardship for the island’s residents.
While speaking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. Sanjay Singh, Zilla Parishad Member of Govind Nagar, Great Nicobar, alleged that the disruption in LPG supply is due to operational issues faced by Shakti Shipping, whose vessels are reportedly in dry dock. He said that although the shipping company’s problems may be genuine, it is the administration’s responsibility to ensure that essential commodities such as LPG reach the island through alternative arrangements. “The public cannot be expected to suffer because a contractor’s vessels are unavailable. The administration must ensure that LPG cylinders are transported by any available means,” he said.
Mr. Singh further stated that Great Nicobar requires around 3000 LPG cylinders every month and urged the administration to immediately explore alternative transportation options, including hiring other vessels operating to Campbell Bay or engaging another shipping operator if required. He alleged that repeated reminders have already been submitted to the authorities, but no concrete action has been taken.
He also suggested that, if necessary, the administration should direct Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to arrange direct LPG supplies to Campbell Bay until regular shipping services resume.
With the shortage now nearing the three-month mark, residents have appealed to the administration to treat the issue on priority and restore the uninterrupted supply of cooking gas without any further delay.
Mr. Singh further warned that if the LPG supply issue is not resolved at the earliest, residents of Campbell Bay may be left with no option but to take to the streets in protest. He said people are becoming increasingly anxious as neither kerosene nor firewood is readily available, leaving many families with no alternative means for cooking. “If the situation continues, people will be forced to launch an agitation to make their voices heard,” he said. Appealing for urgent intervention, Mr. Singh urged the administration and the Prime Minister to ensure that the LPG supply is restored without further delay to prevent the crisis from escalating.
