GUWAHATI, DECEMBER 8, 2017(DIPR): Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Shri Karam Shyam expressed the need for exploring an alternative mode of transportation of LPG and POL products in to Manipur and made functional. He was speaking during the Review Meeting on Marketing Infrastructure and Availability of Petroleum Products in North Eastern Region at Guwahati.
Minister Karam Shyam said the State Govt is keen to invite exploration of petroleum products and natural gas so that revenue may be generated and shared employment opportunities are being tapped as envisioned in the Vision Document. He also said as outlined in the vision document, doubling oil and gas by 2030, making clean fuels accessible, fast tracking projects, generating employment opportunities and promoting cooperation with neighbouring countries are commendable goals.
Stating that North Eastern Region is blessed with hydrocarbons resources, hydropower besides being a biodiversity hotspot, the Minister said the only major hurdle stopping the economic growth of the region is the inability to translate the potential into corresponding realities.
The Minister also said it is high time that the natural resources of the North Eastern Region are harnessed in a concerted manner under the framework of Hydrocarbon Vision 2030. Minister Karam Shyam stated that with the expected completion of railway project by 2019, the Malom depot will be fed by rail and the transportation infrastructure bottlenecks due to bad road conditions will be over. Seeking attention of the Union Govt to complete the Railway Project in a time bound manner, the Minister said completion of the project on time is highly critical.
The Minister also said that the State Govt has taken initiative to acquire 26 acres of land for development of railway siding including Tank Truck parking at Malom Depot of IOC. He said for transportation of LPG and POL there is a need for establishing pipeline connectivity. Stating that the State Govt will provide adequate support, the Minister urged the Union Govt to expedite a) Guwahati – Lumding – Imphal Product Pipeline b) Numaligarh – Dimapur – Imphal – Moreh Product Pipeline c) Numaligarh – Dimapur – Imphal Product Pipeline.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, all Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution ministers of NE states and other officials attended the Review Meeting on Marketing Infrastructure and Availability of Petroleum Products in North Eastern Region.
