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 which 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 importance of 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.