Kathmandu, September 2
The government and transport entrepreneurs have reached a new agreement to facilitate the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products after the Prithvi Highway was disrupted when the Trishuli River eroded the road at Krishnabhir in Dhading.
A meeting chaired by Makwanpur Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari, with representatives of relevant agencies and stakeholders, agreed to use alternative roads for transporting LPG and also fixed transportation rates.
According to Diwan Chand, president of the Nepal LPG Industry Association, arrangements have been made to safely transport trucks and LPG tankers under police escort.
He said the collection of empty cylinders and their refilling for supply to the Kathmandu Valley had already begun to prevent an LPG shortage following the road disruption.
“We had an important discussion with the CDO, SP, Nepal Oil Corporation and representatives of the Truck Entrepreneurs’ Association,” Chand told Onlinekhabar. “Truck operators have said they can immediately provide 150 to 200 vehicles for LPG transportation. Trucks have already started travelling from Kathmandu to Hetauda carrying empty cylinders from Nepal Gas and Everest Gas. The operation began on a limited scale today and will run at full capacity from tomorrow.”
Transportation rates and routes
The meeting designated Hetauda as the “base point” for LPG transportation and fixed the freight rate accordingly. The rate for a truck to bring empty cylinders from Kathmandu to Hetauda, refill them and transport them back to Kathmandu has been fixed at Rs 80,000 per truck.
“Using Sahara Gas in Hetauda as the base, the transportation charge to Kathmandu has been fixed at Rs 80,000, excluding VAT,” Chand said. “This rate applies to a 15-tonne load capacity, covering both the delivery of empty cylinders and the return of filled cylinders. If transportation is required from other industries or districts, the rate will be adjusted according to the distance, using Rs 80,000 as the base.”
The meeting also made concrete decisions regarding potential risks associated with using alternative roads and traffic management. Accordingly, the routes for LPG-carrying vehicles have been designated as one-way.
“Vehicles travelling from Kathmandu to Hetauda will use the Tribhuvan Rajpath, while those returning to Kathmandu after loading LPG will use the Kanti Rajpath,” Chand said. “There are currently no major problems on the Kanti Rajpath. The Department of Roads has fully committed to immediately clearing any landslides on the Tribhuvan Rajpath and reopening the road.”
The meeting was attended by the chief district officer, district police chief (SP), traffic police officials, officials from the Department of Roads, the head of the provincial office of Nepal Oil Corporation, a central-level director and representatives of the Truck Entrepreneurs’ Association.
The prompt response from the administration and transport businesses is expected to provide significant relief to consumers by helping address the crisis caused by the disruption of the highway.
