Narayan Dahal, secretary of the Kaski chapter of Gas Dealers Federation Nepal, said that he found a hotel at Lakeside transferring cooking gas from one cylinder to another just a few days ago. "They were doing it in a very unsafe manner. The gas was leaking and giving a strong smell in the vicinity. They were lucky that it did not ignite a fire because liquefied petroleum gas is unimaginably inflammable and even a spark can trigger explosion," he said.This is just a representative case. "Many hoteliers have been transferring cooking gas in similar fashion and while doing so they put the whole surrounding at risk," added Dahal.
According to him, gas cylinders of many companies entered Pokhara during the Indian blockade. Currently, only 13 cooking gas companies distribute gas in Pokhara but around 100,000 new cylinders of various companies entered Pokhara during the blockade. As the cylinders of those new companies cannot be exchanged in the local market, hoteliers have been transferring gas in these cylinders now.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief District Officer Chandra Nath Gautam said he is not aware about the issue. "This is illegal and highly risky for those involved and others in the area. If we find anyone involved in such act, they will face action," he added.
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