The 38-year-old thought Tuesday was his day at last as the government had released petrol and diesel to all 125 refilling stations in Kathmandu Valley for the benefit of private vehicle owners. But in the end, he was left disappointed along with hundreds of others whose turn at the fuel pump never came. He had waited in vain for almost 10 hours.
"My mother is sick and we were planning to celebrate this year's Dashain together. Bus tickets are all sold out and I have no petrol in my motorbike. It saddens me to think that I will not be able to visit my parents," said Shakya.
For almost a week now, rows of motorbikes have been parked on both sides of the wide road section at Kumaripati.The motorbikes have become covered with dust in the long wait for petrol.
"I hear Nepal is in a dialogue with India and hope we'll have enough petrol for everyone soon," said Shakya Wednesday as he queued at the petrol punp at Kumaripati.
Hari Gharti Magar's plight is no different. He is one of the many unlucky who could not get any petrol Tuesday although he had waited for his turn at Sathdobato petrol punp until one in the morning.
Originally from Rukum district, Magar planned to visit his grandparents in Dharan but he has little hope of being able to do so now. Talking to Republica, Magar vented his frustration after waiting in vain for almost three days.
"If I fail to get any petrol within this week, Dashain will definitely turn out to be a bad joke for me. I have to cover a lot of places for receiving Dashain blessings and walking all the way is not possible at all," said Magar.
Shakya and Magar examplify how the current Indian blockade has affected everyone here. It has been over three weeks since regular import and supply of goods has been chocked off at the border.
However, following the appointment of KP Sharma Oli as the new prime minister, the blockade has begun to ease.
As per records kept by Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), a total of 750,000 liters of fuel was distributed to private vehicles in the Valley, Tuesday.
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