Public holidays turn valley fuel pumps dry
KATHMANDU, NOV 21:
Consumers faced problems in availing petrol today as some fuel stations in Kathmandu valley appeared to be running out of fuel.
“Disruption to fuel availability was due to frequent public holidays,” said general secretary of Nepal Petroleum Dealers’ National Association Bishwa Aryal.
State-owned fuel supplier Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC)’s Thankot depot remained closed for three consecutive days –– November 13, 14 and 15 –– due to Tihar, said spokesperson at the corporation Mukunda Prasad Dhungel, adding that the depot could not supply petroleum products according to normal demand even after Tihar due to a weekend and a public holiday on Chhath.
The Thankot depot remained close on November 17 because it was a weekend and November 19 was a public holiday due to Chhath. The shortage was due to frequent public holidays, said Aryal. The shortage, however,
will not prolong and consumers will get enough fuel from Wednesday, he said.
Nepal Oil Corporation supplied 436 kl petrol and 610 kl diesel on Sunday, according to Dhungel. Similarly, it supplied 400 kl petrol and 560 kl diesel today in Kathmandu valley.
The corporation has supplied fuel that is more than the normal demand to end the shortage which was witnessed in some parts of the valley on Tuesday, Dhungel informed.
Kathmandu valley consumes around 300 kl of petrol and around 400 kl of diesel everyday, according to NOC’s estimate.
The corporation, however, said that the import of petroleum products may fluctuate in the next five months since its sole supplier Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has started renovating its Raxaul-based depot.
Nepal Oil Corporation will use its stock to maintain normal supply if supply from IOC is disrupted, said Dhungel.
Indian Oil Corporation has informed that there will not be a complete halt in loading of petroleum products, Dhungel said. “But, imports may go down at times due to the renovation.”
People should not be scared of a scarcity at present, Dhungel said. “The corporation’s monthly loss has reduced to Rs 242 million and it also has enough stock in its storage facilities.”
Source: THT
