Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Nepal has experienced a persistent shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for nearly two months. Nepal Petroleum Corporation (NPC) implemented a "half-canister supply" measure starting March 12th.
Currently, LPG cylinders are extremely scarce in Kathmandu. In early February, several Nepalese media outlets reported that hundreds of people lined up at state-run gas sales points in Kathmandu every morning with empty cylinders, but many left empty-handed.
On March 12th, NPC announced a temporary "half-canister supply" policy, meaning that 14.2 kg cylinders will be filled with only 7.1 kg and then sold to consumers at half price to address the continued supply shortage.
The announcement stated that demand for LPG in the Kathmandu Valley has remained high for the past two to three months. Meanwhile, the recent escalation of tensions and conflicts in the Gulf region is impacting the global supply of petroleum products, including LPG.
Almost all of Nepal's LPG is supplied by Indian Oil Corporation (INF), and then transported to the local market by NPC. Currently, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) remains the primary fuel for daily cooking in Nepal. The Nepal Petroleum Corporation (NPC) pointed out that after news of LPG supply difficulties faced by ordinary consumers in India spread through social media, there has been a phenomenon of purchasing and storing gas beyond actual needs in Nepal.
On March 11, the NPC issued a notice urging the public to purchase and use fuel only as needed, refrain from purchasing additional gas cylinders, and advocating for the use of electricity instead of gas to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. The notice also warned that those who hoard LPG cylinders without justifiable reasons would face measures such as sales suspension, and those with serious offenses would be dealt with according to law.
Nepal's energy supply has long been highly dependent on imports. In 2015, due to disruptions in transportation along the Nepal-India border, Nepal experienced a severe shortage of fuel and cooking gas, the effects of which lasted for several months. (End)
