Kathmandu, August 30
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said there will be no disruption to the supply of essential goods, petroleum products and cooking gas to Kathmandu despite the closure of the main highway into the capital.
The announcement comes after the Muglin-Kathmandu road section was completely blocked when the Trishuli River eroded the road near Krishnabhir in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality, Dhading, raising concerns about possible shortages of essential goods.
Immediately after the highway was blocked, the corporation began making arrangements to transport petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Kathmandu through an alternative route.
NOC Executive Director Nagendra Sah said fuel would be transported to Kathmandu via the alternative route through Makwanpur (Hetauda).
“We are transporting fuel and gas through the Makwanpur route,” Sah said. “Most LPG plants are located in the Tarai, so we will load gas there and bring it to Kathmandu via the alternative route.”
According to Sah, the Amlekhgunj depot is the main backup for fuel supplies. Since oil is delivered directly to the depot through a pipeline, there will be no shortage of petroleum products in Kathmandu, he said.
“We can receive as much oil as needed through the pipeline. From there, we will transport it using 20-kilolitre and 12-kilolitre tankers operated by private transporters and dealers,” he said. “There may be a delay of an hour or two in the supply chain because of the road conditions, but there will be no disruption to supplies.”
The corporation said most tankers that had been held up due to continuous rainfall in recent days entered Kathmandu on Saturday, so there will be no immediate shortage of fuel in the market.
Amid concerns that the road closure could lead to fuel shortages, the corporation urged consumers not to panic.
“Supplies are continuing smoothly, and we have already made alternative arrangements,” Sah said. “We urge everyone to remain assured.”
The government is studying options to reopen the blocked road.
