Gas Shortage in Nepal: What Are the Supply Minister’s Plans Following Balendra Shah’s Directive to Ease Distribution Within Two Days?
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Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari informed that she has received instructions from Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) to simplify the gas distribution bottleneck within two days. She said preparations are underway to distribute gas through an additional 25 centers in Kathmandu under the ministry’s supervision.
“On Thursday, the Prime Minister took a serious note of the issue and directed that the gas distribution system be made smoother within two days. Starting Saturday, we are implementing additional measures for gas sale and distribution under government oversight,” she said.
She added that efforts are in place to make the ‘Quick Response Team’ (QRT) more effective and to intensify monitoring and enforcement.
With the onset of conflict in the Middle East, Nepal’s gas supply chain has been disrupted.
Initially, to manage the situation, Nepal Oil Corporation started selling only half cylinders. However, since distribution has not become fully smooth, several gas centers in Kathmandu, including its Teku office, have had officials overseeing sale and distribution.
The corporation also created a ‘Quick Response Team’ to collect and address complaints received via telephone and other means related to gas distribution problems.
Officials report that when fully filled cylinders began to be sold again after the supply eased, pressure has increased on the distribution system. They clarify that there is no issue importing gas.
All gas in Nepal is imported from India.
Minister Kumari claimed she has requested Indian officials to send a higher volume of gas than usual, and accordingly, increased imports have been occurring in recent days.
“After making a formal request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gas imports have increased by 15 to 20 percent compared to before,” she stated.
Where Did the Gas Go?
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According to Manoj Thakur, spokesperson for Nepal Oil Corporation, under normal circumstances Nepal imports and consumes approximately 90 to 95 bullets of gas daily.
Currently, imports exceed 100 bullets daily. “Though this is sufficient, compared to previous levels we are importing much more gas,” he noted.
Officials explain that when half-cylinder distribution was ongoing, many consumers did not get gas. Now that full-cylinder sales have resumed, consumers have refilled all cylinders they have at home, creating current supply pressure.
“With full-cylinder availability, some are refilling one cylinder, others are trying to refill second or third cylinders,” Thakur explained.
However, some consumer rights activists do not agree with this explanation from the Oil Corporation officials.
“This is a management failure. When more gas than necessary is arriving, the government must know where that gas is going. This is an artificial shortage and is protected by the government,” said Vishva Timilsina, General Secretary of Nepal Consumer Forum.
“Consumers with one or two cylinders don’t wait in line or carry the cylinders around unnecessarily.”
Minister Gauri Kumari, despite efforts to intensify monitoring and enforcement, acknowledged criticism she has faced.
“Only on Thursday was the Radisson Hotel issue in Kathmandu made public. There are claims businesses are being discouraged. We are not trying to inconvenience anyone; we have only requested avoiding unnecessary gas storage,” she explained.
Officials at Nepal Oil Corporation consider unnecessary gas storage the principal issue at present.
They predict pressure on distribution will lessen once consumers who store gas at home stop approaching sellers to refill cylinders.
“This is not a managerial failure, but a matter requiring our alertness. We managed during the blockade and COVID-19 pandemic; the situation now is different,” Thakur said.
He added that demand pressure is notably high in Kathmandu and 8 to 10 other major cities.
Facilitation, Monitoring, and Enforcement
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Minister Gauri Kumari disclosed that while efforts are ongoing to simplify the distribution system and strengthen monitoring and enforcement, challenges remain due to limited resources and manpower.
Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, she has requested support from Home Minister Sudan Gurung.
“I have requested provision of 500 to 700 security personnel. If this assistance is granted, monitoring, enforcement, and facilitation will be much more effective,” she said.
She added that the Home Minister has responded positively and promised to provide personnel.
Monitoring and necessary enforcement during the market’s difficult conditions are currently being conducted by the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection.
Director and Information Officer of the department, Anil Kiranti, stated that monitoring has found no issues with supply. Upon identifying distribution problems, coordination is occurring with companies, depots, and the QRT to make gas delivery more streamlined.
“So far, no one has been found to be hoarding large quantities of gas. However, due to manpower shortages, we have requested additional staff from the Ministry of Administration,” he said.
Rights activist Timilsina urged the government to track gas from import to distribution.
“When gas availability exceeds demand, a shortage in the market is unnatural. It means gas is being withheld somewhere, and the government must take responsibility for tracking it.”
When Will the Situation Ease?
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Minister Gauri Kumari expresses confidence that the situation will gradually improve with increased gas distribution counters under government supervision, greater QRT engagement, and intensified monitoring and enforcement.
“We will also strive to facilitate smooth distribution outside Kathmandu through dealers,” she said.
According to Nepal Oil Corporation’s Thakur, a proposal has been made to open additional counters to address problems faced primarily by low-income consumers. “Those with only one cylinder have encountered the most difficulties so far,” he said.
Rights activist Timilsina believes the government can do more to ease citizens’ difficulties. He suggests that government authorities could distribute gas door to door as needed.
“If a notification announces ‘Gas has arrived,’ consumers in need will easily come to purchase it. Just as the army and police facilitated access for drivers during strikes and blockades, why can’t the government ensure gas delivery to affected consumers in emergencies?” he asked.
“This too is a state of emergency. When people’s food and cooking resources are halted, isn’t that a disaster?”
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