Highway closure spurs petroleum shortage, black marketing

JANAKPUR, Feb 11: Closure of highway as a part of the strike launched in support of Integrated Administrative Service Centers has created a severe shortage of petroleum products in mid-eastern region.



As a result, the number of vehicles plying on the roads has dropped sharply. The shortage has also spurred black marketing, and the unscrupulous suppliers are charging as much as Rs 150 per liter of petrol in the region.



The shortage has mainly hit districts like Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Sindhuli, Sarlahi and Rautahat. Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said it was taking alternative measure to restore normal supplies.



"We have tried to bring in the fuel through Barauni-Biththamod route for the supplies in the region," said Janadin Dhakal, chief of NOC Dhanusha depot. "We expect positive news by the evening."



Presently, petroleum is supplied in the region either from Jogbani in the east and Raxaul in the central part of the country.



However, due to the closure of the highway along the segment of Nijgadh in Bara to Bardibas in Mahottari, tankers transporting petroleum have remained stranded on the road. "Two tankers ferrying diesel are stuck in Bardibas. Likewise, one tanker carrying kerosene is stranded in Nijgadh," said Dhakal.

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