Tripura’s food and civil supplies minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, has announced a temporary petrol restriction due to a freight engine derailment on the North East Frontier Railway’s Lumding-Badarpur section. In a social media livestream, the Minister stated, “The Food and Civil Supplies Department will begin rationing petroleum products from 10 November 2024 to manage the current shortage.”
Two-wheelers would only be allowed to use gas up to Rs 200, three-wheelers up to Rs 400, and four-wheelers up to Rs 1,000, according to the rationing guidelines. These limitations do not apply to emergency services, and local sub-divisional magistrates have the authority to remove restrictions if local supplies stabilize.
The disaster damaged track, preventing Tripura from receiving essential train supplies, leading to a temporary switch to road transportation via Assam, with rationing necessary due to inadequate supplies. Railway authorities are preparing for a return to freight transportation by November 2024. Rationing as a stopgap measure to ensure equitable distribution and avoid panic buying.
