Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 17: BJP State Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. K. Paramasivam, has urged Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri to consider allocating a dedicated cargo vessel for the transportation of LPG, petrol and diesel to the Southern Group of Islands, particularly Great Nicobar and nearby islands.
In a letter addressed to the Union Minister, Mr. Paramasivam highlighted the persistent difficulties faced by residents of the Southern Group of Islands in receiving essential petroleum products due to the non-availability of a separate dedicated cargo vessel and reliance on limited shipping arrangements.
He stated that irregular transportation and dependence on limited shipping services frequently result in shortages and delays in the availability of LPG, petrol and diesel. Such disruptions, he pointed out, affect domestic consumers, commercial establishments, government departments, transportation services, fisheries and other vital sectors.
The BJP State Secretary further noted that the proposed large-scale infrastructure development in Great Nicobar, including the development project announced by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, is expected to significantly increase the demand for petroleum products in the coming years.
Keeping this anticipated rise in demand in view, he stressed the need to strengthen the fuel supply chain well in advance to ensure uninterrupted and timely availability of essential petroleum products in the remote islands.
Mr. Paramasivam has therefore requested the Union Minister to consider allotting a dedicated cargo vessel to the Indian Oil Corporation, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), exclusively for transporting LPG, petrol and diesel to the Southern Group of Islands.
He said that a dedicated vessel would help ensure reliable, adequate and uninterrupted supplies of petroleum products to the remote islands and would also strengthen energy security for the islanders.
The BJP State Secretary expressed hope that the Union Ministry would consider the request in the larger public interest and issue necessary directions to the concerned authorities for its early implementation.
