Petrol shortage in capital, eastern and mid regions

The Kathmandu valley including the cities of eastern and mid regions saw a shortage of petroleum products due to the eastern Terai unrest. Most of the petrol pumps in the capital are empty as Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) tightened the distribution of fuel.

The oil tankers have not been plied through the routs of eastern Terai following the unrest. According to the petrol pump operators, there has been an irregular distribution of petroleum products that is inadequate to the serve the consumer's demand.

Even the Sajha (Public) petrol pumps operated with social service motive have been padlocked with 'No fuel signs' The supply of the petrol is reportedly a half of total demand.

Biraj Bajracharya of Mali oil store of Kalimati said that his store sold 14 thousands liters of fuel on Monday and Tuesday noon as there was the long queue of the consumers compared to other days and there is no stock now.

According to an official at NOC, the stock at Amlekhgunj depot is rapidly approaching zero level, particularly in the case of petrol and it is not sure when normal supply will resume.

The corporation on Monday had distributed 84,000 liters of petrol, 60,000 liters of diesel and 48,000 liters of kerosene from Thankot depot. It supplied additional 12,000 liters of petrol and diesel each from Amlekhgunj depot for Kathmandu Valley.

Though some petrol pump operators said they received the fuel in low measure, a report quoted Shiva Prasad Ghimire, president of Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association (NPDA) as saying that petroleum dealers have not received any products from NOC for the last 10 days, and all distributing stations have remained closed.

“Since people are more concerned over the ongoing stir in Terai, they have not reacted to the fuel shortage. But, panic will hit as soon as the stir ends,” the report quoted Ghimire as saying.

According to the officials at NOC, the stock at Amlekhgunj depot deteriorated earlier than expected as NOC diverted major chunk of imports to the Valley to maintain stock at the Thankot depot and it Terai unrest persists for few days, the much-replenished stock at Thankot depot will be empty.

Petrol shortage in capital, eastern and mid regions

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