Petrol supply will be normal in a week: NOC

Petrol supply will be normal in a week: NOC
eKantipur.com, 2-Oct-07

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has extended its commitment to maintain normal supply of fuel to Nepal throughout October, following which Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) said it would further increase supply in the market.

“We aim to resume normal supplies in a week,” said Umesh Dahal, deputy managing director of the corporation.

Talking to the Post, he said that IOC has committed to supply as much as 2,400 KL of petroleum products a day to Nepal throughout this month. The commitment was made in response to the government's recent request to IOC.

NOC officials said the corporation plans to distribute at least 180,000 liters of petrol a day in the valley without any disturbance for the next one week.

Since the planned quantity is 20 percent more than the effective daily demand, regular supply in that volume is expected to bring the supply situation to normal by the next weekend, said officials.

Dahal further said that the corporation has been receiving normal supply of petroleum products from India over the past 10 days. Subsequent to it, the corporation pumped out an average of 180,000 liters of petrol a day during the period in the Kathmandu Valley. On Tuesday alone, the corporation pumped out 240,000 liters of petrol in the Valley, said Dahal. Likewise, the corporation has started bringing in petrol from Bhairahawa in order to ensure supply becomes normal in a week.

Officials said the corporation is presently receiving 60,000 liters of petrol from Bhairahawa every day. So far, it has been distributing all of it in the market. However, from this week-end the corporation would be using a part of the supply to build-up stock at the Thankot depot.

Sarad Bhandari, general secretary of Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association (NPDA) said that at least 40 private dealers were receiving petrol supplies from NOC every day. “The supply situation has eased compared to the past. If the corporation maintained the current supply rate, situation will turn normal soon,” he stated.

Bhandari further added that the current rush in the refilling stations was mainly due to lack of consumers' confidence over NOC's ability to maintain normal supplies during the festive season.

“A fair chunk of consumers have started hoarding the fuel, while others have still not been able to get hold of fuel,” said he.