Tanker strike may severely affect oil supply in South Bengal

Kolkata, Jan 25 (UNI) The indefinite strike call by the Tankers Association in West Bengal would severely affect supplies to South Bengal consequently affecting industries, shipping and even air traffic at Dum Dum Airport, Indian Oil sources said.

The Association has given an indefinite ''no placement'' call at bulk storage terminals of Mourigram and Budge Budge.

The sources said transporters demand for enhanced rates was ''totally unjustified''. They also criticised their adamant attitude and denial to enter any talks.

Mourigram and Budge Budge, besides Haldia are the most important bulk storage terminals in South Bengal for the oil industry and are the lifelines for the supply and distribution of petroleum products including the common man's fuel SKO and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

Moreover, the entire supply of aviation fuel for Dum Dum airport goes from Mourigram.

About 200 petrol pumps of Indian Oil in addition to about 450 outlets of oil industry received their regular supply from Budge Budge and Mourigram Terminals. In addition, there are about 200 SKO dealerships attached to these two locations. Budge Budge also stores FO and LDO, the main fuels for the industry, in and around Kolkata and also for the marine vessels.

On an average working day Mourigram Terminal supplies about 600 kl of petrol (MS), 2700 kl of SKO and 500 kl of ATF. Around 400 tank trucks are attached with Mourigram on oil industry basis to carry these products to the doorstep of the customers.

Describing the transportation rate contract as the bone of contention, which has already been finalised for all other five locations including Siliguri,Hasimara, Rajbandh and Haldia, from where the oil industry operates in West Bengal, the sources claimed that only in these two locations the transporters declined to accept the best rate of transportation offered amongst all metros (in line with Delhi) and stuck to their demand for more, which is totally ''unviable and uneconomical'' for the oil industry.

Incidentally, the sources said, the oil companies recovered only a part of the transportation cost paid to the transporters and rest was all absorbed by the oil industry. As such ''the demand for the higher rate is totally uncalled for and unjustified'', they alleged.

UNI