Sri Vijaya Puram, March 27: With the prevailing tensions in the Middle East Countries causing restrictions in import of crude oil to India, the entire nation seems to be in a crisis mode. While there are reports indicating pressure on industries and businesses because of the restrictions in the mainland, the Islands too has not been spared. In almost all places inside Sri Vijaya Puram, the capital of A&N Islands, huge crowd is seen surrounding the distribution trucks, struggling to get their LPG refill. The question here is, is the LPG stock in the Islands, really facing a severe crisis.
Soon after the tensions in the Middle East, the Govt. of India has imposed restrictions on refill supply of LPG. Initially the period of refill was extended from 20 days to 25 days but it is being noticed that the refill booking option for consumers is not open even after 25 days. When enquired, reliable sources inform that that the refill period has been extended further from 25 days to 45 days with effect from 1st of April 2026. It is surprising that the booking options which was supposed to be open for consumers who have crossed 25 days of the last booking much before 1st of April 2026 have also been closed. In such a situation, consumers will be forced to wait for another 20 days for the refill booking option to open for them, which comes as an unexpected blow.
Reliable sources also inform that sufficient stock of LPG cylinders is available in the Islands and to ease the situation further, the ship carrying LPG has also arrived in the islands on time. If such is the situation, would it be right on the part of Indian Oil Corporation to impose restrictions on the consumers of the Islands?
Considering that adequate LPG stock is available in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, such restrictions are not practically required. These limitations imposed by the Government through IOCL are adversely affecting not only the consumers but also the distributors who are not able to deliver, in spite of sufficient stock in place.
It has also been observed that IOCL Portal for booking refill, updation of eKYC of consumers and other such mandatory requirements, seems to have collapsed, thus escalating the situation further. Due to the collapse of the portal, the distributors too are facing a tough time in supplying the LPG cylinders to consumers, who present their records of booking.
A&N Islands unlike mainland India is a remote area where the inhabited islands are scattered to vast stretches. Even with sufficient stock available, it is practically impossible for any distributor to deliver the cylinders on time, apart from the city and adjoining areas.
In such a situation, will the concerned authorities take up the issue with the Govt. of India on time to relax norms for the Islanders? Or should the Islanders look upon political leaders and Member of Parliament to write letters and raise the issue in the Parliament to ease the created crisis situation?