Fuel crisis here to stay unless Birgunj customs reopens

Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 14. On Tuesday, Indian Oil Corporation increased fuel supply to Nepal, indicating that this may continue. Earlier, it used to fill 10 per cent of Nepali tankers lining up before Indian oil depots. While on Tuesday, it gave load to 60 per cent of Nepali tankers waiting for fuel, according to Nepal Oil Corporation.

With the Birgunj customs shut, Nepali tankers are bringing oil from Silgudi, Barauni, Baitalpur, Gonda and Vanthara.

On Wednesday also, NOC dispatched around 150 tankers to bring oil from these depots. “Tuesday onwards, Indian depots have giving more load to Nepaii tankers. Customs obstructions are also easing,” according to NOC Spokesperson Dipak Baral. “Earlier, NOC used to give load to 10 per cent tankers. Yesterday, it gave load to 60 per cent tankers.”

Altogether 148 tankers loaded with petroleum products entered Nepal from India on Tuesday, indicating that fuel supply situation has eased somewhat. Earlier, India used to send only a handful of petroleum tankers to Nepal by obstructing customs clearance. On Tuesday, petroleum tankers entered Nepal through Kakadbhitta, Biratngar, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Kailali.

Meanwhile, the Birgunj customs remains shut with United Democratic Madheshi Front cadres staging a sit-in there. The public expects the fuel crisis to ease with the number of petroleum tankers entering Nepal from India increasing. NOC Spokesperson Baral, however, says the supply situation has not eased that much.

Raxaul customs is ready to issue its all-clear to Nepali oil tankers stranded in the border town. With obstructions from UDMF cadres continuing, supplying fuel to Nepal through this vital trade point appears impossible at present.

A large number of petroleum tankers and gas bullets have been waiting to enter Nepal. “It will be easier for us to supply oil if normalcy returns to other customs points. But the fuel supply situation will not normalise unless the Birgunj customs reopens,” says Baral. “Fuel entering from other customs points cannot end the oil crisis gripping Kathmandu.” Birgunj is our supply lifeline, he says.