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A sharp increase in aviation fuel prices has led airlines operating in Nepal’s mountainous regions to raise airfares significantly, causing hardship for residents in remote districts such as Mugu.

Following a steep hike in fuel prices in the Nepali market, both airfares and road transportation costs have surged - some nearly doubling - making travel increasingly difficult for people living in remote areas.

According to Yamraj Singh, regional manager of Nepal Airlines Corporation in Nepalgunj, the Nepal Oil Corporation increased aviation fuel prices by Rs. 124 per litre starting from end March. As a result, the airfare from Nepalgunj to Mugu has been set at Rs. 9,300 per ticket, up from the previous Rs. 7,300.

Local resident Ram Krishna Rawal from Chhayanath Rara Municipality-9 said that rising fares by airlines and transport operators have made travel extremely difficult for Mugu residents.

Transport fares up by 45 to 55 per cent

The daily lives of people in the remote Himalayan district of Mugu have been severely affected by the ripple effects of escalating tensions and conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The surge in global crude oil prices has led transport operators in Mugu to raise fares significantly.

According to Santosh Shahi, secretary of Chhayanath Rara Transport Entrepreneurs Association, the fare per person from Mugu to Nepalgunj has now reached Rs. 4,500.

Kali Bahadur Budha, a resident of Ward No. 9 in Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality, complained that transport operators have arbitrarily increased fares.

He said that the local administration has not conducted any monitoring to control the price hikes. The steep increase in public transportation fares has further burdened ordinary citizens, he said. The Department of Transport determines fare adjustments automatically based on fuel prices and 13 other indicators under a scientific fare adjustment system.

According to the department’s notice, passenger vehicle fares have been increased by 16.71 per cent. However, transport operators in Mugu have been found to be violating these regulations.

Chief District Officer of Mugu Khadananda Khatri said that discussions with transport operators in the district will be initiated soon.

Currently, petrol prices in Nepal have reached up to Rs. 219 per litre and diesel Rs. 237 per litre. Due to rising fuel prices and pressure from transport entrepreneurs, the government has adjusted public transportation fares.