A growing fuel crisis across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has prompted a detailed review meeting with officials of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Kolkata Regional Office, during their visit to Sri Vijaya Puram. The discussion centred on repeated complaints about irregular or inadequate supply of petrol, diesel and LPG, affecting multiple islands and sectors ranging from households to tourism and commercial establishments.
The Member of Parliament for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands emphasised that the ongoing shortages are causing significant hardship for consumers, PRI members, remote communities and businesses. He said the current supply chain mechanism has not operated at the level required to meet demand, leading to delays and uncertainty, particularly in inter-island locations within the Nicobar Group and North & Middle Andaman.
Officials were informed that Swaraj Dweep urgently requires a dedicated cargo boat for LPG transportation and a 10,000-cylinder storage godown to meet domestic and tourism-related needs. In Long Island, more than 230 LPG consumers remain without a functional distribution system and are forced to travel to Rangat for refills, often losing one to two days in transit. The need for doorstep or local supply arrangements was highlighted, along with the complete absence of a petrol and diesel outlet on the island.
Concerns were raised about the Betapur–Basantipur stretch, where no fuel outlet exists despite multiple requests from residents. The establishment of a petrol and diesel pump along this heavily used route was again stressed. In North and Middle Andaman, dependence on LPG transported from South Andaman has led to frequent shortages, prompting calls for a central LPG storage godown at Mayabunder and additional depots between Baratang and Diglipur, including at Kadamtala. Regular supply to Baratang, a major tourist hub, was also requested.
In Diglipur Tehsil, a single LPG distributor currently serves 14 panchayats, resulting in extensive delays. Appointment of additional distributors was recommended to ensure timely delivery. The ANIIDCO fuel outlet at Keralapuram was flagged as inconveniently located and operating with limited hours; officials were urged to consider a new outlet between Kalara Junction and Diglipur and to extend operating timings.
Little Andaman continues to face one of the most severe situations, with over 6,500 domestic LPG consumers affected by irregular shipping schedules and insufficient commercial LPG supply for hotels and establishments. Officials were told that IOC must maintain a monthly reserve of more than 6,000 cylinders and increase the frequency of fuel-carrying ship trips to align with demand. Additionally, petrol and diesel supplies on the island fall far short of requirements.
Serious concerns were also raised about tribal islands such as Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa, Katchal and Nancowry, where petrol and diesel shipments often arrive only after four to six months and LPG after nearly five months. Residents are receiving just two to three LPG cylinders against their entitlement of twelve. Long queues at EHL distribution centres reflect the gravity of the shortages. Disputes between distributors and transport agencies were noted to be worsening delays, increasing the urgency for a dedicated and uninterrupted supply plan with fixed schedules for all remote and tribal locations.
The Member of Parliament urged IOC to strengthen and streamline supply chain logistics, set up new LPG storage godowns and fuel outlets at identified locations, increase cargo vessel frequency, resolve distribution bottlenecks with the A&N Administration, and publish a transparent supply schedule. He said the islands’ residents are fully dependent on these essential fuels and any delay severely impacts daily life, making urgent corrective action essential.
