MATHABHANGA

No petrol pump in Mathabhanga town

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 8: There is no petrol pump functioning at this moment in the sub-divisional town of Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district. As a result all the non-government transport services, private vehicle owners and motorbike riders are suffering. Trinamul Congress is planning to organise a massive popular movement over the issue.

 

A vice-president of district Trinamul Congress, Mr Girindra Nath Barman said that there were two petrol pumps in Mathabhanga. One is situated at College Morh and the other at Shikarpur. Both the pumps have been lying defunct for more than a year. Taking the advantage of absence of official petrol pumps a section of unscrupulous traders are illegally selling petrol and diesel from different outlets. As there exists no precautionary measures in those shops a massive incident of fire may occur any day, he fears.

 

Chairman of Mathabhanga Municipality, and also a CPI-M leader, Mr Arun Chaydhury too admitted the situation. He said, "We are trying our best for a long to get petrol pumps in the town. We made appeals to the district magistrate and Indian Oil authorities but all that gone to deaf ears." The farmers are the worst sufferers because they have to buy diesel against higher price from the clandestine market to run pumps for irrigation, Mr Chaudhury said.

 

It was learnt that there is a problem of succession after the death of the actual owner of the petrol pump of College Morh. The outlet at Shikarpur is suffering from disputes among partners.

 

The Trinamul leader, Mr Barman said a few incidents of fire occurred earlier in Mathabhanga town but the present situation is grim. In case of any outbreak of blaze the total town may reduce to ashes. Trinamul Congress is readying to launch an intensive movement demanding opening of legal petrol pumps in Mathabhanga, Mr Barman said.

 

Trinamul Congress will also organise movement against illegal and indiscriminate selling of country liquor in the town. At present country liquor is openly available at roadside tea stalls but this cannot go forever, Mr Barman said. []