Trinath & John Wilbert
Port Blair, June 16: After collapse of Thoratang Bridge the North and Middle Andaman was reeling under serious fuel crisis just because the only alternative bridge of TV Kulam is not strong enough for heavy fuel tankers.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Senior Manager, ANIIDCO, Mr. Wajid said that on Friday ANIIDCO sent two fuel tankers for North and Middle Andaman but as the tankers of 16 tones capacity, the tankers were not allowed to cross the TV Kulam Bridge and hence the oil tankers came back to Port Blair.
Again on Saturday morning two Oil Tankers were sent for North and Middle Andaman but due to land sliding inside ATR the fuel takers were stranded for some time. Later after ATR was made operational the oil takers reached near TV Kulam bridge and was waiting for clearance to cross the bridge.
Meanwhile at Mayabunder and Diglipur there was clear shortage of fuel. Mr. Shyamal Debnath the Pradhan of Madhupur told Andaman Sheekha that in Diglipur, suspecting possible fuel crisis, many people stored fuel in advance which made the situation worse. As per report at Mayabunder the Diesel stock was already over and the petrol bunk of Mayabunder had Petrol of only day left, till this evening.
However, when contacted police sources in Middle Andaman confirmed that this evening both the fuel tankers which were stranded near TV Kulam Bridge, were allowed to pass after emptying one chamber. However official confirmation about this, is yet to reach from ANIIDCO.
It is expected that two fuel tankers will solve atleast some problems of North and Middle Andaman for time being.
