NOC seeks alternative to importing petroleum products

Kathmandu / October 8: In a latest bid to resolve the current fuel crisis in the country, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has come up with an alternative, according to which it has issued a notice calling for a global tender to import fuel.

The country has been reeling under fuel crisis after the unannounced border blockade imposed by India on Nepal following the promulgation of the new constitution on September 20.

The NOC today called in to fill the tender by three days for the import of petroleum products and LPG within a fortnight by any means and from any country. The NOC called for the tender for the daily import of 200 kilolitres of diesel and kerosene, 100 kilolitres of petrol and 100 metric tonnes of LPG.

It may be noted that one kilolitre amounts to 1000 litres. Given the widespread fuel crisis in the country, the Cabinet assigned the responsibility to this state-owned trading company to import the aviation fuel, petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG through any means, route and country.

This will end the monopoly of Indian Oil Corporation to supply fuel to Nepal. India imposed undeclared blockade to Nepal citing reservation to the new constitution. Nepal is trying to bring petroleum product from China and trying to prepare infrastructure for the same. According to NOC Officials, the corporation is currently trying to hold negotiation with Chinese authorities about feasibility of sending fuel to Nepal. Meanwhile, Minister for Irrigation Narayan Prakash Saud has said that diplomatic initiatives are on to lift ‘undeclared embargo’ by India on the border.

He said that the restrictions on the border would ease within some days and the situation would be normal thereafter. RSS