Manipur Governor Moves to Break “Artificial Scarcity” — Special Fuel Convoy Rolled Out to Imphal
Manipur’s Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the state’s petroleum stock situation after repeated disruptions caused by attacks on fuel tankers, landslide-hit transit bottlenecks and panic buying that have created an artificial scarcity of petrol, diesel and LPG. The government says there is sufficient stock and — to stabilise supplies — has dispatched a special convoy from Jiribam: 158 petrol/diesel tankers + 5 ATF tankers + 29 LPG tankers (192 vehicles total) escorted and coordinated with police and Indian Oil. The trucks left Jiribam on the morning of 30 August 2025 and are expected to reach Imphal in 2–3 days, depending on road conditions.
What the Governor reviewed — the facts on the table
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla convened stakeholders to review the stock position of petroleum fuels (MS petrol, HSD diesel, ATF) and LPG for the state. Officials said the perceived shortage is largely artificial — caused by transit bottlenecks (frequent landslides on NH-102 and NH-37), attacks on tanker convoys, and consequent panic buying — while actual reserves remain adequate. To tackle the distribution logjam, the state’s CAF & PD Department, in coordination with state police and Indian Oil Corporation, agreed to send a special fuel convoy from Jiribam to Imphal.
The immediate operational detail is specific and concrete: the convoy comprises 158 tanker trucks for petrol and diesel, 5 tanker trucks carrying ATF (aviation turbine fuel), and 29 tanker trucks for LPG — a total of 192 vehicles mobilised to replenish Imphal’s supply. The special convoy left Jiribam on the morning of 30 August 2025 and officials estimated a transit time of two to three days, subject to road and security conditions. That level of logistics planning is significant — it’s the government taking the supply chain problem head-on
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Manipur actually out of fuel or is the shortage artificial?
A: Officials say the shortage is largely artificial — caused by transit bottlenecks (landslides on NH-102 and NH-37), attacks on convoys and panic buying — and that actual stocks are sufficient once distribution is restored. The state has arranged a special convoy to replenish Imphal.
Q2: What is the special convoy and when will it arrive?
A: The convoy comprises 158 petrol/diesel tankers, 5 ATF tankers and 29 LPG tankers (192 vehicles) dispatched from Jiribam on 30 August 2025; the expected travel time to Imphal is 2–3 days, depending on road and security conditions
Q3: Are attacks on fuel tankers a new problem?
A: No. There have been past incidents of armed attacks and ambushes on convoys along the Imphal–Jiribam route, which increase insecurity for drivers and complicate logistics. That historical pattern helps explain the government’s focus on security escorts for this convoy.
Q4: What can residents do now to help ease the situation?
A: Don’t panic-buy. Use public transport where possible, follow official advisories, report price-gouging, and conserve fuel when you can. Small household choices matter when distribution is constrained.
Q5: Will this stop future shortages?
A: The convoy helps immediately, but preventing future disruptions requires structural fixes: road resilience, continuous security along supply routes, local buffer stocks, and incentives for transporters to keep routes open. Short-term fixes must be paired with long-term investments.
