For the past two months, four cargo vessels destined for the Numaligarh oil refinery have been marooned in the waters of the Brahmaputra River due to low water levels in the Dhansiri River. Originating from Kolkata and navigating via the river route, these vessels were compelled to make an emergency stop at Shilghat in Kaliabor, halting their journey towards Numaligarh.
The prolonged halt prompted authorities to devise a solution. With the necessary permissions secured from the relevant department, plans are underway to excavate the riverbed of the Dhansiri to facilitate the transfer of a significant portion of the machinery onboard the cargo vessels to the Numaligarh oil refinery.
Shilghat, despite its unexpected role as a temporary harbor, has swiftly organized to facilitate the machinery work on the stranded vessels. Officials have indicated that the necessary arrangements are in place to commence the machinery transfer process.
According to an official statement, the machinery transfer operation is expected to be completed within a month. Once finalized, the cargo vessels will resume their journey towards Numaligarh, ensuring the uninterrupted supply chain to the oil refinery.
The initiative underscores the collaborative efforts of authorities and local stakeholders in navigating challenges posed by the region’s geographical dynamics. As the machinery transfer progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic about the timely resumption of operations, mitigating the impact of the prolonged halt on both the cargo vessels and the Numaligarh oil refinery.