| Without supply order from army, IOC sends 80 tankers to Leh | | Tankers await unloading, 160 drivers stranded in chilly weather | | Bijay Charak
Jammu, Sept 26: The Government owned, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Jammu had sent 80 fuel tankers army supply to Leh, without receiving a supply order a month back. Moreover, owing to non-availability of fuel storage, the army authorities have refused to un-load the tankers. The reluctance of the army to unload the tankers has forced more than 160 drivers, co-drivers and conductors to stay in inclement weather for the past one month.
Oil Tanker Transporters Welfare Committee (OTTWC) Convener Ranjit Singh Rana informed Early Times that on August 26, 2014, IOC authorities forwarded 80 fuel tankers including Kerosene and Diesel Oil to Army Field Supply Depot (FSD) Leh.
He said that more than 160 drivers and co-drivers are stranded there and facing hardship due to non-availability of shelter, food, water and medicines.
"After six- seven days all the tankers reached to Leh where the oil was unloaded but surprising when the tankers operators asked Army persons to unload their tankers, the army refused to unload them saying no fuel had been sought from IOC and that the army depot was already full of oil, and h no other storage facility was available", said Ranjit Singh.
He further said that the Army Field Supply Depot Leh had not enough parking space. Only 15-20 vehicles had parked into defence area while other vehicles were still standing outside on the road, where they have no security.
"The matter was brought to the notice of Indian Oil Corporation Divisional Manager Jammu Vijay Garg but he showed no interest to sort out the problem of transporters", said Singh.
"The tankers are stranded far away from the market and the transporters face hardship due to miscommunication of IOC and army and the poor tanker operators are being victimized without any fault," he said.
The family members of the drivers have expressed anger over the development. They have sought immediate measures to ensure their safe homecoming.
Divisional Manager, IOC Jammu Vijay Garg didn't respond to phone calls. |
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