New Delhi: With 17 ships carrying fertilizer bound for India stuck in the Persian Gulf since the conflict in West Asia began, the government is considering an option to transport a part of this dry bulk commodity. As Deepak Dash reports, the plan is to move it from its current locations by road – after the ships dock – to Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port and from there by ships to Indian ports.TOI has learned that fertilizer department officials informed an informal group of ministers (IGoM) on Wednesday that they are exploring this option, although the route is longer by road and through the Red Sea. The road journey from Persian Gulf ports to Yanbu port is about 1,200 km, people aware of the discussions said.An official said, “It is a longer route and will take more days than passing through the Strait of Hormuz. But there appears to be no other option as the passage of ships through the Strait has been badly affected. The high cost due to the delay of 60-70 days has become a major concern and the demand for fertilizers for Kharif crops will peak by mid-June.”Officials of the Department of Fertilizer informed the IGOM that if the conflict continued, the sowing season of Rabi (winter) crop would be more affected.