Fuel Shortage Reported at Many Kathmandu Petrol Pumps After Price Cut

Kathmandu-A shortage of petrol has been reported at many private fuel stations across the Kathmandu Valley shortly after the government announced a reduction in petroleum prices. Several petrol pumps have temporarily closed, while many others have stopped sales, displaying notices stating that petrol is unavailable.

As a result, long queues of vehicles have formed at government-operated fuel stations and the few private pumps that remain open.

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) reduced fuel prices effective from midnight, cutting the price of petrol by Rs. 20 per litre, diesel and kerosene by Rs. 30 per litre, and Rs. 100 per cylinder for cooking LPG.

Despite the apparent shortage, the NOC stated that there is no actual supply crisis in the market. According to NOC spokesperson Manoj Kumar Thakur, some fuel dealers deliberately avoided collecting petroleum supplies on Tuesday after learning that prices would be reduced, creating an artificial shortage. He said the corporation has begun taking immediate action against those involved.

Meanwhile, the Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs has urged the government to adjust public transport fares in line with the automatic pricing mechanism following the reduction in fuel prices. Federation President Punya Prasad Sitoula called on the government to revise fares accordingly.