Manipur Fuel Dealers Condemn Noney Tanker Attack, Seek Uninterrupted Fuel Supply

Imphal, Sept. 13: The Manipur IOCL Retail Outlet Dealers Association has condemned the recent attack involving a petroleum tanker at Noney and appealed to the government and oil companies to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of fuel tankers into the state.

The Association said violence, intimidation or attacks against tanker drivers were unacceptable, stressing that drivers transporting petroleum products perform an essential service under difficult conditions.

It also expressed solidarity with the injured tanker crew and said it had provided Rs 30,000 as financial assistance to the second driver/helper who was hospitalised at Raj Medicity in Imphal following the Noney incident.

The Association, in a statement, also raised concerns over the difficulties being faced by retail outlets in maintaining regular fuel supplies across Manipur.

According to the dealers’ body, retail outlets depend largely on Malom Depot, the principal petroleum storage and supply depot in the state. It said inadequate stock levels, the ongoing rainy season, difficult road conditions, law-and-order challenges and repeated disruptions along highways had affected the loading and movement of petroleum tankers.

There are currently 227 retail outlets in Manipur, according to the Association. Of these, 157 are operated by IOCL, 51 by BPCL, 15 by HPCL and four by Nayara.

The Association said IOCL is the only oil marketing company with a major petroleum storage depot in Manipur, making Malom Depot critical to the state’s fuel supply chain.

It called for adequate and continuous replenishment of stocks at Malom Depot, saying the issue should be treated as a priority by the concerned authorities.

The Association pointed out that Malom Depot is also the principal and only depot supplying petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) products to direct consumers in Manipur, including paramilitary forces, police and other essential government and institutional consumers.

Any disruption or inadequate replenishment at the depot therefore affects not only retail outlets and consumers but also essential services and security establishments dependent on regular POL supplies, it said.

The dealers’ association also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by EOI dealer transporters attached to Malom Depot.

It said these transporters have frequently remained idle for weeks because of inadequate loading opportunities, creating financial hardship for tanker owners and drivers.

At the same time, several retail outlets are reportedly receiving split loads or smaller quantities of fuel, including 4 KL or 8 KL consignments, because of reduced demand, financial constraints and the prevailing situation in the state.

The Association said Manipur-based dealer transporters operate under conditions that differ from those of transporters in other locations. It cited comparatively low transportation rates and shorter route kilometres, while basic vehicle and operational expenses remain.

It therefore said Malom-based EOI dealer transporters should not ordinarily be diverted or linked to outside locations such as Monarban, Lamding or Guwahati, unless such movement is specifically required under an IOCL-approved contingency arrangement.

The Association said the effects are felt immediately by retail outlets, dealers, transporters and consumers when tankers are unable to load at Malom Depot.

The Association has also urged the authorities to facilitate the maximum possible safe movement of petroleum tankers along NH-37, the Imphal-Jiribam route, subject to security and operational considerations.

NH-37 is a principal road corridor for bringing essential commodities and petroleum products into Manipur. The Association said around 150 loaded vehicles are understood to move towards the state every day, including petroleum tankers and other goods vehicles.

The available transportation capacity is distributed among different categories of vehicles carrying petroleum products and other essential goods. The petroleum movement is further divided among IOCL, BPCL and LPG consignments, according to the Association.

It expressed concern that the current share of IOCL tanker movement is comparatively low despite Malom Depot being the only major petroleum storage depot serving the state.

With 157 of Manipur’s 227 retail outlets being IOCL outlets, the Association requested IOCL and the concerned authorities to increase the allocation and movement of IOCL petroleum tankers on NH-37 wherever operationally and from a security perspective feasible.

The Association said greater movement of IOCL tankers would help maintain stocks at Malom Depot and benefit dealers, transporters, tanker drivers and consumers, particularly during periods of highway disruption or reduced tanker movement.

It called for a balanced and need-based transportation arrangement that takes into account the actual requirement for petroleum products in Manipur and the role of Malom Depot in maintaining fuel supplies.

The dealers’ body said every possible effort should be made to ensure safe, uninterrupted and adequate movement of fuel tankers, given the state’s dependence on road transportation for essential commodities and petroleum products.

The Association also clarified that retail outlet dealers should not be held responsible for disputes or conflicts involving highway transportation or transporter-related matters.

It said dealers depend on the supply system provided by the oil marketing companies and place their requirements through the prescribed IOCL SAP/online system. Shipments are subsequently created through the system based on applicable supply and transportation arrangements.

If transporters face difficulties or undertake a strike or otherwise disrupt transportation, retail outlets are directly affected, the Association said, but dealers themselves are not parties to such transporter disputes.

It added that retail outlet dealers have their own EOI arrangements, while transportation categories, route kilometres and rates may differ. At the same time, vehicle operating costs and other expenses continue to rise.

The Association said dealers and transporters must operate within the law and comply with rules and instructions issued by competent authorities and oil marketing companies.

In view of the present situation, the Association appealed to IOCL and the Government of Manipur to take immediate steps on several fronts.

Its demands include ensuring the safety and security of tanker drivers and helpers during petroleum transportation; maintaining adequate stocks at Malom Depot through timely and increased replenishment; and facilitating the maximum possible safe movement of petroleum tankers on NH-37 between Imphal and Jiribam.

It also sought an increase in the movement or share of IOCL tankers on NH-37, taking into account the number of IOCL retail outlets and the state’s dependence on Malom Depot.

The Association called for uninterrupted tanker movement to prevent prolonged dry-outs at retail outlets and regular loading opportunities for EOI dealer transporters attached to Malom Depot.

It further sought effective contingency supply arrangements whenever loading or highway movement is disrupted, safe passage and adequate security for petroleum tankers, and timely communication on stock positions, loading schedules and contingency arrangements so dealers can plan their supplies.

The Association also requested fair consideration of the operational and financial difficulties faced by Manipur-based EOI dealer transporters and called for priority replenishment of Malom Depot because of its critical role in the state’s petroleum supply system.

The dealers’ body said fuel is an essential commodity and petroleum transportation constitutes an essential national service.

It maintained that the safety of tanker drivers, uninterrupted supplies to retail outlets and the availability of petroleum products to consumers should remain a collective priority.

The Association urged IOCL, the Government of Manipur and other concerned authorities to work together to maintain a safe, uninterrupted and adequate petroleum supply chain across the state.

It also appealed that retail outlet dealers should not be penalised for circumstances arising from transporter disputes, highway disruptions or other transportation-related issues beyond their control.