Petrol pumps not meeting new standards to be closed down

Published On: January 20, 2017 01:49 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has warned the petrol pumps all over Nepal that it will stop distributing fuel to them if they fail to abide by the regulations as per the Dealers Bylaw (Sixth Amendment) 2073.

Similarly, if the petrol pumps do not upgrade their infrastructure before hand, fuel supply of respective fuel pumps will be cut. NOC has also stated that it will take action if the petrol pumps do not abide by the rules over the next four months.

There are about 1,400 gasoline stations in Nepal. According to the law, every gasoline station is required to have a sales office, sales room, drinking water and, separate toilets for men and women.

If the stations fail to implement the regulations within the next four months, NOC has announced to cut the delivery of the respective station by 50% and alert them with a second chance. However, if the same station fails to abide by the rules the second time, NOC will stop supplying them fuel.

Similarly, Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association (NPDA) has demanded amendment to the Regulations even before its implementation. Dealers have asked to revise the Sixth Amendment 2073 while the old criteria have still not been implemented.

NPDA has demanded to remove some provisions from the Regulation claiming that the regulations were put forward without taking suggestions from the stakeholders.

NPDA has claimed that the Regulations was drafted without informing or having a formal discussion with the stakeholders. Chairman of NPDA, Lilendra Pradhan said, “Old pump stations cannot implement the standards mentioned in the new Regulation. Doing so might cause the replacement of old stations.” He further added that to improvise the stations, old standards should be revised and looked through.

Pradhan said that only 15 % of pumps are in a position to operate as per the new regulations while 85% may not able to able to abide by them at all. Chairman of Western Region chapter of NPDA, Prem Neupane said, “The improvement of Infrastructure should be such that the pump stations aren’t disturbed with its implementation.”