LPG tanker lorries go on strike in Tamil Nadu

The Southern Region Bulk LPG Transport Owners Association launching a stir against the new tender policy for gas distribution, there are concerns that city homes will run out of gas supply soon.The State transport owners feel that because of the new system, bidding and distribution in other States will be affected.

“So far, tenders were floated zone-wise, enabling lorry owners from Tamil Nadu to participate in gas distribution in other States. But, from November 1, 2018, the Centre is planning to float state-wise tenders, thus restricting the truckers from other states,” said association secretary N R Karthick.

The LPG brought to seven terminals of oil companies and two refinery stations



in the southern region get transported to 49 bottling plants, including two private plants by 4000 bulk LPG trucks to cater to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka.

Gas agencies in Chennai primarily depend on daily transportation of LPG cylinders from bottling plants. Unlike other parts of Tamil Nadu, most of the gas distribution agencies in Chennai did not have large godowns to stock cylinders.In recent years, oil companies have sanctioned licence to a large number of gas agencies in Chennai city. 

Supplying cylinders to transferred connections and new connections may not be possible after Thursday,” a proprietor of a gas agency said.