KATHMANDU, Sept 9: The supply chain of the Kathmandu Valley has been severely affected after the Krishnabhir segment of the Prithvi Highway was eroded by the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, leading to shortages of essentials including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The landslide in Krishnabhir, Dhading, blocked the Prithvi Highway, completely disconnecting the capital’s main lifeline route. Although government authorities have claimed to have eased the supply of essentials, the shortage and black market of these goods have disrupted daily life in the valley.
According to gas dealers, daily demand for cooking gas in the valley stands at 100,000 cylinders. However, due to the disruption on the main highway, only an average of 20,000 cylinders is being transported daily.
No disruption in LPG supply from India: NOC
Records of the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) show that Tuesday’s data was even worse. Only 18,259 cylinders from nine different gas companies across the country reached dealers that day.
As per the NOC, on Tuesday, Sagarmatha Gas distributed the most, recording 4,699 cylinders, followed by Everest Gas with 3,475 cylinders. Other companies such as Sugam, STC, Sitashree, Shree, Shree Maya, Shree Ram, and Manoj Gas sold their products in smaller quantities.
Gas bottlers said they have been forced to use the winding and bumpy road of the Tribhuvan Highway as an alternative route to transport cylinders in small trucks. Citing high transport costs, the bottlers raised the price to Rs 2,165 against the NOC-fixed price of Rs 2,060 per cylinder.
Taking undue advantage of the situation, gas dealers and retailers have been found demanding advance payment for LPG despite the long waits consumers face to obtain the essential. In many cases, consumers have been compelled to stand in long queues to get LPG.
Meanwhile, shortages of other essential goods have also begun to appear in the Kathmandu Valley, with prices skyrocketing. The price of sugar has surged to as high as Rs 160 per kg, up from around Rs 100 per kg just a few weeks ago.
Similarly, a 25-kilogram bag of Jeera Fine rice now costs Rs 2,500, up from Rs 1,900. Sunflower oil has risen from Rs 245 to more than Rs 300 per litre, while mustard oil has increased from Rs 340 to Rs 375. Rice, lentils, and other staples have also seen price increases of 30 to 50 percent.
Citing the situation, the Consumer Awareness Campaign-Nepal has strongly demanded effective market regulation and smooth supply of goods and services from the Government of Nepal. Speaking at the fifth annual general meeting and third national convention of the organisation on Tuesday, consumer rights activists urged the government to take strict action to prevent black marketing, artificial shortages, and unfair trade practices, warning that such issues may intensify during the upcoming festive season.
