Gas Shortage in Nepal: What Is the Supply Minister’s Plan Following Balendra Shah’s Directive to Ease Distribution Within Two Days?

Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Minister Gauri Kumari informed that she received instructions from Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) to ease the gas distribution problems observed in the market within two days. She stated that preparations are underway to operate an additional 25 gas distribution centers in Kathmandu under the ministry’s supervision. “On Thursday, the Prime Minister seriously directed that the gas distribution system be made smoother within two days. Additional measures for gas sales and distribution will be implemented from Saturday under government agency supervision,” she said.

According to her, efforts are underway to make the ‘Quick Response Team’ (QRT) more effective and to accelerate monitoring and enforcement processes. Since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, Nepal’s gas distribution chain has been affected. Initially, when Nepal Oil Corporation sold only half cylinders, problems emerged. However, as the distribution system is still not fully smooth, regulated arrangements for gas sales and distribution have been made under official supervision at certain gas centers in Kathmandu, including the Teku office.

Authorities at the Nepal Oil Corporation stated that as gas supply has normalized and full-capacity cylinder sales have resumed, pressure on the distribution system has increased. According to them, there is no problem with gas imports. All gas in Nepal is imported from India. Minister Kumari has already requested Indian officials to send more gas than usual and claims that significantly increased imports have been occurring in recent days accordingly. “After our request through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have been receiving 15 to 20 percent more gas than before,” she said.

Where has the gas gone? According to Nepal Oil Corporation spokesperson Manoj Thakur, under normal circumstances, Nepal imports and consumes 90 to 95 bullet gas cylinders daily. Currently, over 100 bullet cylinders are being imported daily. “Although this is still not sufficient, it is much more compared to the past,” he said. Officials explained that during the period of half-cylinder distribution, consumers who had not received gas filled all cylinders in their homes once full-capacity cylinder sales resumed, contributing to the current situation.