Essentials fast running out due to NH 31A blockade

Gangtok, Sep 3 (UNI) Essential supplies were fast depleting in Sikkim as efforts were on to clear the landslide near Coronation Bridge which had disrupted traffic along NH 31A for the past nine days.

According to reports kerosene, diesel and LPG stocks were in a depleted position at the sole Indian Oil Corporation(IOL) depot located at Mazitar near Rangpo, East Sikkim.

No fresh supply of essential items had been made since the heavy landslide at NH 31A near Sevoke in West Bengal.

Presently, vehicles were using the existing stock available in the market which may not last much longer, reports said.

LPG stock in Sikkim will last only a couple of days more, said Menla Ethanpa, general manager of State Trading Corporation of Sikkim (STCS). STCS distributes LPG gas all over the state.

''If connectivity links are not restored within the next few days, we will run out of stock,'' said Mr Ethanpa.

IOL officials from Siliguri said nine of their tankers were stranded along the way to Sikkim. Around nine tankers with a combined capacity of 40 tonnes of LPG gas used to be sent to Sikkim daily.

Prices of vegetables and other commodities have almost doubled in Sikkim since the blockade began. Commuters were paying a hefty price to reach Siliguri via the longer Darjeeling-Kurseong route.

Meanwhile, Border Roads Organisation(BRO) was working on a war footing to clear the road at the troubled area. The BRO said the road was almost clear and they were at the moment putting stones over slush to prevent vehicles from skidding.

Efforts were on to clear the road by this evening, said a BRO official. The road had been opened four times since the slide but incessant rain brought another avalanche of boulders and mud blocking the route again.

UNI