Petrol transporters withdraw strikes

KATHMANDU, July 7: The two associations of petroleum transporters locking horn over relocation of tankers came to terms with Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and withdrew their strikes on Thursday, paving way for the easing of petroleum supply soon.



Agitating Nepal Petroleum Transporters Federation (NPTF) and the Central Region Tanker Operators Association (CRTOA) withdrew their strikes after NOC agreed to induct only 50 fifty tankers in Raxaul-Kathmandu route and relocate the remaining 10 newly inducted tankers to ferry fuel in Raxaul-Amlekhgunj route.[break]



The two agitating tanker operators´ associations agreed to the arrangement after NOC also promised to remove tankers with Indian number plates from its transportation chain, said NOC Chief Digambhar Jha.



The two associations had locked horn after NOC decided to relocate 60 of the 138 tankers it originally hired to transport fuel from Barauni in Raxaul-Kathmandu route.



CRTOA had protested the decision arguing that the shift would eat away its members business. NPTF had strongly stood in favor of the decision, mainly as most of those inducted tankers belonged to its office bearers.



The loggerhead, meanwhile, triggered a severe shortage of fuel in the market. With the withdrawal of strike, Jha said fuel supply will become normal soon.

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