Lorry stir hits LPG supply

KOCHI: The LPG supply across the state was  hit owing to the strike launched by the Southern Region Bulk LPG Transport Operators Association (SRBLPGTOA). As a result, the storage and bottling plants of petroleum companies in the state ran out of stock.The functioning of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) came to a standstill after stocks ran out. However, the IOC officials refused to comment. The oil and gas major has storage facilities and bottling plants at Udayamperoor, Kollam, and Kozhikode. The Kochi plant, the largest in terms of capacity, turns out 140 truck loads of cylinders a day.The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) authorities said they have not been affected so far. “Our bottling plant in Kochi is near to the refinery and the LPG is supplied via pipeline. Besides, we have enough stock in our storage and bottling facilities in Thiruvananthapuram,” said Manoj, head of  LPG section of BPCL. The bottling plant of the BPCL in Thiruvananthapuram turns out 12,000 cylinders daily and its Kochi unit turns out 20,000.