Fuel supply from India to Nepal increases

With the election of the new government in Nepal, the supply of fuel from Indian to the Himalayan nation has significantly increased since Monday, officials said on Tuesday.

Eightyeight fuel tankers and over 100 goods-laden trucks entered Nepal through Jogbani border point till 4 p.m. on Tuesday. This is the biggest consignment of supplies that ever reached Nepal after Madhes-based political parties imposed entry-point blockade on the Nepali side, expressing dissatisfaction in the newly heralded constitution.

Nepal is reeling under severe fuel crisis since the Madhes-based political parties staged protests at various Nepal-India entry points over the past 15 days.

After the relaxation of the agitation, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has started distributing fuel to the common man. On Tuesday, according to the NOC, it distributed 750,000 litres of fuel in Kathmandu city alone.

Similarly, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has started increasing fuel supply to Nepali side since Tuesday.

Of the major six entry points and other one-and-half dozen small entry points between Nepal and India, only Raxaul has remained closed.

Mechi customs chief Bhim Adhikari said that 101 trucks, most of them loaded with industrial goods, entered through the point on Tuesday, and 32 fuel tankers have gone to the IOC depot in Panitanki for refilling.

The Jogbani customs office said that 22 petrol tankers, 51 diesel tankers and 15 LPG bullets entered through the customs point on Tuesday.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)