Agartala, March 27 (TIWN):The state oil depot is likely to be shifted at Guwahati. A meeting in this regard is schedule to held with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) official, oil pump owners and state government on April 2 at secretariat. After the meeting final decision would be taken.

The  broad gauge conversion of Lumding – Badarpur rail track is the reason for shifting the depot from Dharmanagar. When the work started from  October 1, last year   the Dharmanagar depot became partially defunct. The situation would worsen further once the Badarpur – Agartala broad gauge conversion works starts.

Earlier IOC used to supply  fuels by  rail tankers, when train service was stopped  due  conversion work g  fuel was sent by tankers at Dharmanagar depot from Guwahati. As a result the tankers owners was facing  financial  loss and supply was irregular.       

The IOC wants  to supply fuel from Guwahati, the decision had already implemented at  states like - Nagaland and Mizoram. Fuel  is supplied at both states  from Guwahati many years back. On the other hand if broad gauge conversion from Badarpur - Agartala  is complete than IOC is planning to set up new depot at Jirania.

The price of  petrol and diesel likely to increase by Re 1 if the  oil depot is shifted to Guwahatii as fuel  tax is  2 percent  more  than here.