India facilitating rerouting of LPG bullets to Nepal

Making the government's stand clear on the export of Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) to Nepal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that India was already facilitating the rerouting of LPG bullets through those crossing points that are open.

"We are making all efforts from our side to send things to Nepal. But till the time Raxaul and Birgunj don't open as they are the main choke point, we are sending what all we can through other points," said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

"Only 30 percent POL is able to move into Nepal right now," he added.

Nepal has sealed a deal with China to import petroleum products from the northern neighbour, ending four decades of sole dependence on India for the supply of gasoline.

According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and China National United Oil Corporation (PetroChina), a state owned company, signed a memorandum of understanding regarding supply of petroleum products from China to Nepal.

Nepal is currently reeling under acute shortage of petroleum products after Madhesh-based parties intensified their agitation in the wake of the promulgation of the new Constitution on September 20 and obstructed the Nepal- India border.