Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, June 18: The issue arising from the reported restriction on the sale of petrol and diesel in cans and portable containers at fuel outlets from Baratang to Diglipur has been resolved following the intervention of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
Expressing gratitude to the Administration, North and Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh Mr. Alager Swamy thanked the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman, Mr. Sushant Padhya, the Chief Secretary, and other concerned officials for taking swift action to address the matter.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Alager Swamy said the issue had not been limited to North and Middle Andaman alone but had affected several parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after a notification reportedly led to restrictions on the sale of fuel in cans and portable tanks at petrol pumps.
He said the matter came to his notice after concerns were raised by local residents, tourism operators, fishermen, and fibre boat owners who depend on fuel purchased in containers for their day-to-day operations. He immediately took up the issue with the Deputy Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman, and other administrative officials, including Assistant Commissioners of various subdivisions.
According to Mr. Swamy, the Deputy Commissioner promptly escalated the matter to the Chief Secretary, following which discussions were held at the administrative level. On Thursday afternoon, he received confirmation from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office that the issue had been resolved and that fuel would once again be made available in cans and portable containers as per the earlier practice.
Mr. Alager Swamy pointed out that the restriction had created serious difficulties for fibre boat operators engaged in tourism activities, members of the fishing community, and individuals using private generators, as it is not practical to bring boats or generators directly to petrol pumps for refuelling.
He noted that the restoration of the previous system has brought significant relief to tourism stakeholders, fishermen, and others dependent on fuel supplied through containers. He added that boat operators had already resumed purchasing fuel from outlets and normal operations had restarted.
The Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh also thanked media organizations for highlighting the issue and helping bring it to the attention of the authorities. He particularly appreciated the prompt response of the district administration and said the swift intervention demonstrated the Administration’s commitment to addressing public concerns.
Mr. Alager Swamy said the resolution of the issue has removed uncertainty among local youths involved in tourism-related activities and ensured that essential services continue without disruption. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Secretary, the Administration, and members of the media for their collective efforts in resolving the matter.
