Ten days ago, the Tripura government announced that it would start rationing of petrol sales across the state from November 10 due to disruption in railway supply lines following the derailment of a freight train in the Lumding-Badarpur hill section of the Northeast Frontier Railway.

On October 31, a loaded freight car derailed in tunnel 2 at KM 52/5 near MUPA, affecting train services on the Lumding-Badarpur Hill section.

“The railway authorities took all necessary steps to repair the railway line and work began while the region was at war. Transportation of goods via the affected segment is expected to resume from November 13, said a statement issued by Tripura Director of Food, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution Sumit Loch on Sunday.

“As less petrol stock is available at petrol pumps in different sub-divisions of the state, including the ICOL depot in Dharmanagar, a rationing-based system will be introduced temporarily for sale of petrol from November 10. The public is asked to follow this. ration card system,” the notification said.

In the statement, it was stated that the supply of regular supplies to the state, especially petrochemical products, has been stopped for the last few days due to the derailment of the freight train and the damage to a 4-5 kilometer section of the railway line.

It was also stated that Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) has been importing petrol and diesel in tanker trucks via highways from Guwahati, Betkuchi, Lumping and Silchar fuel depots for the last few days.

Announcing the decision via social media, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Sushanta Chowdhury said that two-wheelers will be purchased. ₹200 worth petrol per day, three-wheelers would get Rs. Four-wheeled vehicles will be given 400 worth of gasoline per day. ₹1,000 worth of gasoline per day during this rationing period.

“Yesterday (Friday) I spoke on the phone with the General Manager of the Northeast Frontier Railway. “He assured me that the maintenance work in the region will be completed by November 13,” said the minister, warning against any wrong practices during the rationing period. He added that surprise visits will be organized to different fuel pumps to prevent black markets.

Earlier this May, the state government restricted the sale of petrol and diesel from May 1 due to constraint in fuel stock supply due to landslides and train disruptions in Assam.

According to the decision, 100 liters of gasoline will be given to two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles. ₹200 per day and for four-wheelers it will be Rs. 500 per day. Buses would get diesel of Rs. It will be 60 liters per day, and 40 liters per day in minibuses.

Train movements had been affected since April 25 after the engine of a freight train derailed between Jatinga Lampur and New Harangajao station under Lumding section of NF Railway.