Oil Pumps Closed Down in Manipur Due to Economic Blockade

By: Abhishek Singh

Imphal, Feb 15 : All oil depots in the state were closed down today due to non-availability of petroleum products following the indefinite economic blockade imposed by Senapati District Students Association (SDSA).

The SDSA's strike on National Highway 39 entered the 15th day today in protest against alleged failure to repair the highway.

Consequently, trucks bringing in essential goods are not coming to Manipur.

Over 100 goods-laden trucks bound for Manipur were stranded at Mao Gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border on the highway. The drivers were also facing hardship as they were stuck on the highway.

Due to non-availability of petroleum products people also faced immense hardship. Petrol is being sold at Rs 55 to 60 per litre.

Manipur Works Minister K Ranjit Singh had recently drawn the attention of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath to the deplorable condition of National Highway 39 which was the lifeline of the land-locked state of Manipur.

Mr Ranjit said five Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) out of 22 submitted to the Ministry for NH-39 had been sanctioned.

Procurement of civil contracts for the sanctioned work is under process. He urged the Union Minister for taking care of Maram-Imphal section of the NH-39.

The Works Minister also stated that the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-39 which is vital to the development of Indo-Myanmar Border Trade was also in deplorable condition from Pallel to Moreh. He urged the Union Minister for sanction of the remaining DPRs at the earliest for improvement of the NH-39.