Imphal, January 06 2010: Transport operators engaged in ferrying rice and sugar of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have drawn the attention of the State Govt to arrange an alternative storage depot as the goods are not being allowed to off-load at the Sangaiprou godown due to space crunch at present.

It is informed that Sangaiprou godown of the FCI has run of space after transporters increased frequency of trips following an alarm a few months back that the State might face scarcity of essential food items, particularly rice and sugar.

Inspite of the storage capacity of 12,500 metric tonne Sangaiprou godown comprising of five building is currently stuffed with 14,500 metric tonne of rice and has no capacity to accommodate more quantity, an informed source said.

According to a transport operator FCI godowns in other districts of the state also have been stockpiled upto limit with rice and sugar resulting in severe inconvenience faced by the transporters.

Explaining further, the transport operator said due to prevailing law and order uncertainty there is no guarantee the newly arrived loaded vehicles would not be targeted by miscreants in addition to apprehension of theft of the loaded goods when parked randomly.

Moreover as either the driver or the assistant have to stay put with the vehicles in sight there is additional problem of lack of basic amenities to respond to nature's call, he said.

Suggesting that allowing the transporters to off-load the goods at Koirengei godown would be a welcome initiative, the transport operator pointed out that all possible measures need to be taken up by the State Government for sufficient storage of essential goods as the situation could be unfavourable when natural calamities occur or imposition of bandh/blockade cripples the State.

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