Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 21: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, held a detailed meeting with officials of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Kolkata Regional Office, during their visit to Port Blair.
During the meeting, the MP strongly highlighted the growing concerns of islanders regarding the acute shortage, irregular supply and non-availability of Petrol, Diesel, and LPG (domestic & commercial) across multiple islands. He urged IOC to take urgent corrective steps to restore uninterrupted supply of essential fuels.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray stated that the recurring fuel crisis has severely impacted consumers, PRI members, remote island communities, hotels, tourism establishments, and commercial sectors. The MP emphasized that the existing supply chain mechanism has failed to operate at the required level, causing delays, hardship, and uncertainty among residents particularly in the inter islands of Nicobar Group of Islands and North & Middle Andaman.
During the meeting, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray also apprised the IOC officials of the critical fuel-related challenges being faced across various islands. He highlighted that Swaraj Dweep requires a regular cargo boat dedicated to LPG transportation, as well as a 10,000-cylinder storage godown to meet both domestic and tourism-driven commercial demand. In Long Island, more than 230 LPG consumers still lack a proper distribution system and are compelled to travel to Rangat for refills, often losing 1–2 days in the process. The MP stressed the need for doorstep or local supply arrangements and also pointed out the complete absence of a petrol and diesel outlet, urging IOC to establish an extension counter at the earliest.
He further drew attention to the Betapur–Basantipur stretch, where no fuel outlet exists despite repeated requests, and emphasised the immediate requirement for a petrol/diesel pump along this busy route. Addressing issues in North and Middle Andaman, the MP stated that the region’s dependence on LPG transported from South Andaman has resulted in frequent shortages. He urged IOC to set up a central LPG storage godown at Mayabunder, create additional depots between Baratang and Diglipur including Kadamtala and ensure regular supply to Baratang, which is a key tourist hub.
In Diglipur Tehsil, where a single LPG distributor struggles to serve 14 panchayats, the MP called for appointment of additional distributors to ensure timely delivery. He also noted that the ANIIDCO fuel outlet at Keralapuram is inconveniently located and has limited operating hours, and therefore requested extended timings and the establishment of a new outlet between Kalara Junction and Diglipur.
Regarding Little Andaman, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray highlighted severe hardships faced by over 6,500 domestic LPG consumers due to irregular shipping schedules, along with insufficient commercial LPG supply for hotels and other establishments. He urged IOC to maintain a monthly reserve of more than 6,000 cylinders, increase fuel-carrying ship trips, and correct the short supply of petrol and diesel, which falls significantly short of actual demand.
The MP also expressed grave concern over the situation in tribal islands such as Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa, Katchal and Nancowry, where petrol and diesel often arrive only after 4–6 months and LPG after nearly five months. Tribal consumers are receiving only 2–3 cylinders against their entitlement of 12, and long queues at EHL distribution centres reflect the seriousness of the crisis. He noted that disputes between distributors and transport agencies are worsening the situation and stressed the need for a dedicated, uninterrupted fuel supply plan with fixed schedules for all remote and tribal islands.
Therefore, he urged the IOC to take the following actions on priority:
Strengthen and streamline supply chain logistics for timely and adequate fuel availability.
Establish new LPG storage godowns and fuel outlets at the identified locations.
Increase frequency of cargo vessels carrying LPG and petroleum products to remote and tribal islands.
Resolve distribution bottlenecks in coordination with A&N Administration and local distributors.
Publish a transparent supply schedule for uninterrupted availability.
The MP emphasized that the residents of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are entirely dependent on these essential fuels, and any delay creates widespread hardship. He requested IOC to treat this as a matter of utmost urgency.