The price of petrol in the black market has shot up to Rs 170-200 per litre in Manipur's Imphal.
Long queue of vehicles outside petrol pumps due to rationing of fuel in Manipur's Imphal, has led to many people spending hours, waiting for their turn late into the night. Fuel shortage is the latest crisis to hit the state capital, which is just emerging from months of agitation and shutdown over restriction of entry to outsiders in the state.
Both national highways to Imphal have been blocked which has led to the crisis. The Nagaland route has been blocked for over two weeks now due to a massive landslide, while a bridge has collapsed on the other route from Assam.
With the city's petrol pumps left with only a few days stock, they have been forced to ration fuel at their stations. Most pumps are opening only for a restricted time during the day to give out fuel. Police has been deployed at the pumps to ensure that there is no chaos.
But local newspapers like the Sangai Express have reported that fuel is still abundantly available in the black market at exorbitant prices.
The price of petrol in the black market has shot up to Rs 170-200 per litre, and the price of diesel has gone up to Rs 120-150 per litre, according to local media reports.
The state government has said that it has launched a drive against black marketeers, and is trying its best to restore road links soon. Sources say that this will take a few more days.
The government needs to act fast.
According to reports, shortage of LPG cylinders could also start to flare up soon, and they are being sold in the black market for as much as Rs 2000 per cylinder.