Relief as oil tankers reach Kohima; petrol pumps directed not to give extra fuel

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 10 (EMN): Nagaland’s state capital, Kohima has been facing acute shortage of fuel for the past few days due to the road blockade caused by rockslides between Chathe River Bridge (Patkai Bridge) and Khuokhi River Bridge (Kukidolong) along the National Highway-29.

While fuel stations remained closed due to unavailability of fuels and fewer vehicles were seen plying on the road during the day time on Wednesday, unlike other days, heavy traffic jam was witnessed in the evening as vehicles flocked petrol pumps and markets following the arrival of tankers and trucks ferrying essential commodities.

The deputy commissioner (DC) of Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, told Eastern Mirror that ‘tankers have crossed the blockage area and are arriving Kohima’.

He informed that more vehicles would be arriving to the state capital in the following days to meet the needs of the citizens.

Meanwhile, the DC has issued a notice in view of fuel shortage in Kohima, directing “petrol pumps to fill petrol and diesel directly in the vehicles and not for any extra gallons, jerry cans, etc.”

He further stated that ‘no fuel be issued in bulk without written permission from the office of the deputy commissioner of Kohima’ and asked to strictly comply with the order.

It may be mentioned that the deputy commissioner of Dimapur had on Tuesday issued a circular to allow vehicles ferrying essential commodities and oil tankers to ply from 1 pm till 4 pm from February 10 to February 13 within the road stretch of Chathe River Bridge and Khuokhi River Bridge.

It however, restricted light vehicles and pedestrians in the route as a precautionary measure to avoid injury, loss of life and property till further orders.

Further, it had advised the public to take alternative route for light vehicles from Dimapur- Kohima/ Kohima- Dimapur to ply through 7th Mile – New DC office – Shokhuvi- Ruzaphe, Maikham- Pimla- Mhainamtsi – Jharnapani/ Medziphema.