Agartala: Nov 10: On Sunday, Sushanta Chowdhury, the Minister for Food, Transport, and Tourism in Tripura, made a surprise visit to several petrol pumps in Agartala to address concerns over black market activities. During his inspection, Chowdhury urged pump owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent any illegal dealings involving petrol and diesel. He issued a stern warning that any pump found involved in black market activities would be immediately shut down, with legal action taken against them.
Chowdhury emphasized that the department is doing its best to resolve the situation and protect consumer interests. He also mentioned that, based on discussions with the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, the fuel supply situation is expected to stabilize by November 13. The disruptions in fuel supply were caused by a recent derailment that had affected transportation, preventing fuel tankers from reaching the state.
In response to the supply shortage, the government announced the implementation of a rationing system for petrol starting next Monday. However, the disruption has caused long wait times at petrol pumps, with motorists and bikers queuing for hours. On Sunday, the situation at the Baradwali petrol pump and others in Agartala was particularly chaotic, with lines extending onto the roads. Despite the long queues, there is no reported shortage of fuel in the black market, where petrol and diesel are being sold at inflated prices.
This black market activity has added to public frustration, as consumers are not only facing long waits but also dealing with higher prices. The government has yet to take effective action to curb these black market dealings, leaving citizens questioning when the situation will be fully resolved. Authorities, including the minister, assured that efforts are underway to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
