Rahul Singh & Vikramaditya
Campbell Bay, Sept 06: A major relief has arrived for residents of Great Nicobar as 1,800 LPG cylinders reached Campbell Bay aboard MV Manav Star, following several months of severe shortage. The supply is expected to ease difficulties faced by households that had been forced to depend on traditional cooking methods due to the prolonged unavailability of LPG cylinders.
As per an Andaman Sheekha Correspondent in Great Nicobar, the newly arrived consignment is expected to be distributed among local consumers from tomorrow morning. Around 476 cylinders were already available at the Campbell Bay CCS, taking the immediate available stock to more than 2,200 cylinders. Another consignment carrying approximately 1,980 cylinders has also been loaded onto a vessel and is expected to reach Campbell Bay within the next few days.
Residents welcomed the arrival of the cylinders but said the supply should be distributed adequately among all consumers. They expressed hope that households would receive at least two cylinders each, which would provide relief for the next few months and reduce dependence on the arrival of the next vessel.
Local residents also pointed out that the LPG shortage had continued for nearly four months, causing considerable hardship to families. They urged the administration to maintain sufficient buffer stock at Campbell Bay so that disruptions caused by bad weather, shipping delays or other logistical problems do not once again leave residents without cooking fuel.
Residents further said that Great Nicobar, being the southernmost island, faces shortages not only of LPG but also of several essential commodities and services. They appealed for regular supplies of basic necessities, including cooking gas, ration and other essential items.
With the latest consignment already reaching Campbell Bay and another shipment reportedly on its way, residents are hopeful that the prolonged LPG shortage will finally ease. They, however, stressed that regular monthly replenishment and adequate advance stock should be maintained to prevent a recurrence of the crisis.
