SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Petroleum Worker’s Association (HPWN) has demanded the re-opening of the oil depot of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Limited at Pyllun village in Umiam.
“The oil depot in Umiam which started its operation in 1992 was closed on February 1, 2010 despite stiff opposition from the Association,” HPWN president, Alister N Diengdoh told newsmen here on Saturday.
Informing that the exact reason for the closure could not be ascertained, Diengdoh said that as per sources, the Government along with the company had decided to close down the depot since as per norms an oil-depot cannot be set up within 100 km radius of the Tap off Point which is located at Beltola, Assam.
“We want the State Government to direct the company to re-open the depot,” Diengdoh said.
He also said that Meghalaya, which shares a long border with Bangladesh, needs an oil-depot considering the vulnerability of the State.
The HPWN president also said that the Association has, from time to time, demanded the Government to ensure that there is a bottling plant of oil in Shillong as well as in Tura so that there is no interruption in the supply of petrol, diesel and LPG within the State in case of agitation in neighbouring Assam.
In response, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Clement Marak said that the Government will examine this demand to re-open the oil depot at Umiam.
