Fuel Shortage in Tripura: Here’s the new petrol ration limit for all vehicles
Tripura’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Saturday announced that the government will begin rationing petrol from November 10, due to a recent fuel supply disruption in the state. The fuel shortage stems from a derailment in the Lumding-Badarpur section of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) that has hindered regular fuel transport to Tripura. The derailment, which involved a fuel tanker on October 31, caused damage to approximately 5 km of railway track, severely impacting fuel supplies.
Fuel rationing limits
To manage the situation, the government has introduced fuel rationing limits for different vehicle types. From Sunday, two-wheeler owners will be allowed to purchase up to Rs 200 worth of petrol daily, three-wheelers can access Rs 400 worth of petrol, and four-wheelers will have a limit of Rs 1,000 per day. This controlled distribution aims to ensure that available fuel supplies are sufficient to meet the needs of as many residents as possible.
Minister Chowdhury shared this update through a Facebook post, explaining the need for immediate fuel restrictions due to the reduced supply caused by the railway disruption. “Due to the derailment of the track between Lumding and Badarpur, there has been a steep reduction in the state’s fuel stock. Therefore, the state will impose restrictions on the selling of fuel, especially petrol, from Sunday,” he said.
Efforts to resolve the issue are ongoing, and Minister Chowdhury has reached out to Northeast Frontier Railway officials for assistance. He spoke with the NFR General Manager, who assured him that restoration of the affected railway section is being prioritized, with full repairs expected by November 13. This timeline gives Tripura residents hope that the fuel supply can return to normal soon after repairs are complete.
K K Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NFR, confirmed that while fuel tanker services on the affected section are indeed disrupted, passenger rail services have not been impacted. Passenger trains are operating as usual, meaning travel for people along the Lumding-Badarpur route remains uninterrupted.
This fuel rationing measure marks an urgent step by the state to maintain essential services and prevent panic as Tripura faces a temporary shortage of fuel. The government is closely monitoring the situation and will likely adjust the fuel distribution policy once the railway repair work is completed and fuel transport is back to normal levels. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to use fuel responsibly and adhere to the daily purchase limits.
The incident highlights the critical importance of transport infrastructure, particularly in regions like Tripura that rely heavily on railways for the movement of essential goods. The state government’s prompt response and the ongoing railway repairs demonstrate a collaborative effort to restore fuel access and maintain stability for the people of Tripura.