While the depot at Sancoale has stock for the next 15 days, tankers have already started bringing in fuel from Miraj, Desur and Belagavi to ensure that bunkers in the state do not run dry.
Meanwhile, with the authorities still scrambling to locate the source of the leak, bulk cargo vessels that bring in fuel from Mundra or Hazira ports are being cancelled or turned away, said officials.
Locally, the move to stop unloading and pumping of fuel in Vasco sparked fears of a shortage in the state that is on the cusp of the peak tourism season, but retailers have allayed fears of a scarcity in supply.
“There is no shortage in the state. It is true that they can’t pump through the pipeline to the ZIOTL depot at Vasco, but tankers are bringing in fuel from Miraj and Desur. Generally, the depot will have fuel for around 15 days,” said the owner of a major retail outlet.
Goa consumes about 900 Kl petrol and 1,000 Kl diesel per day through the fuel stations operated by all three major oil marketing companies in the state. The fuel is brought in on ships every fortnight, but for the last week, the bulk cargo ship that had arrived at Mormugao was made to wait at outer anchorage only to be diverted to Kochi.
“One ship has been diverted and other ships are not being nominated for Goa because the message has spread that unloading is not taking place,” said an official with Mormugao Port Authority.
Until the leak is plugged, and pumping operations resume, the oil marketing companies will rely on stock transfer to meet the gap in supply.
“The scene is not bad and there is no need to panic. The time taken to bring the fuel to Goa is more as the lorries have to go to Maharashtra and Goa, and the depots have to be prepared for extra paperwork, but there is no drop in supply. Some fuel stations may have gone dry for a few minutes or at the most an hour on Tuesday, but supply was ensured today (Wednesday),” said a representative of a retailer in North Goa.
