A meeting presided over by Jagatsinghpur district Collector SK Mohapatra took some important decisions regarding transportation of petroleum products during the lockdown period.

IOCL, LPG Terminal Chief Manager AK Tripathy said since transportation of petroleum products  has been interrupted due to the non-availability of the trucks despite the exemption during lockdown, the operation of food and packaging industries and the units manufacturing medical appliances like syringes, pouches, hospital disposables, test tubes, breakers, pipettes, etc. have been severely affected.

Sumanta Kumar Biswal, president of the Paradip Truck Owners’ Association, informed that they have been able to keep only 50 vehicles ready with their staffs.

Santosh Kumar Pattnaik, president of the Jagatsinghpur District Truck Owners’ Association expressed concern  that some trucks carrying essentials were halted en route on Jagatsinghpur border.

After a detailed discussion, it was decided that a few trucks will be engaged for transport of Polymer Petro Chemical Product to plants  within the State. There would not be unnecessary delay in loading of the product. The time of loading and departure of the vehicles would be informed to the ADM, Paradip and the Additional SP, Paradip. The truck associations would submit the registration numbers of vehicles.  Roadside dhabas and garages would remain open. The IOCL authorities would instruct the petrol pump owner to arrange food and water for  the drivers and the helpers.

Both the owner of the vehicle and the IOCL would provide the staffs of the vehicle with masks, gloves and sanitisers. To overcome the apprehension of social ostracism, the associations would facilitate accommodation to drivers and helpers in Paradip town.