Mizoram faces renewed fuel crisis as NEPMU halts oil transport

Aizawl: Mizoram is on the brink of another fuel crisis as the North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union (NEPMU) announced a halt in oil transportation to the state starting Friday. This decision comes just as the state began recovering from a previous fuel shortage after truckers resumed operations last week.In a letter to the chief general manager of IOC-AOD's Noonmati office, NEPMU general secretary Ramen Das cited hazardous road conditions as the reason for the suspension. "The roads in Mizoram are perilous, and a serious accident could occur at any moment," Das warned.Despite assurances from the Mizoram govt that roads would be made safe, conditions have worsened, prompting the union to cease operations from Aug 1 until improvements are made.The fuel crisis is compounded by a scarcity of essential goods, according to the Mizoram Merchant Association (MIMA). Transportation costs from Assam to Mizoram have surged by Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, severely impacting the state's business community.Construction projects have stalled due to a lack of cement and steel, with goods suffering damage on the deteriorating NH-306 and NH-06, Mizoram's vital transport routes.MIMA has called on the Mizoram govt, state PWD, and NHIDC to urgently repair the highways, even suggesting the use of state funds. The association also urged traders to refrain from hiking prices of essential goods to prevent further hardship for residents.