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Although a shortage of cooking gas has been reported in recent days, the number of LPG tankers entering Nepal through the Birgunj border has actually increased.

A total of 979 LPG bullet tankers entered through the Birgunj border during the first 20 days of July 17-August 5. During the same period last year (2082 B.S.), 859 tankers had entered. This means that 120 more tankers arrived this year compared to the same period last year.

According to Mohan Prasad Sah, chief of the Nepal Oil Corporation's Birgunj office, nearly 60% of the country's cooking gas enters through the Birgunj border, and LPG tankers have been entering without disruption.

The Birgunj office of Nepal Oil Corporation stated that after the distribution of full gas cylinders resumed, 1,429 LPG tankers entered through the Birgunj border in Asar. Before that, when only half-filled cylinders were being distributed, 934 tankers entered in Jestha and 974 tankers in Baisakh.

Mr. Sah also informed that during the first 20 days of Shrawan, Product Delivery Orders (PDOs) had already been issued for 822 additional LPG tankers, while preparations were underway to issue PDOs for another 88 tankers within the next two days.

Among gas companies, Nepal Gas Industry imported the highest number of tankers (83), followed by Sagarmatha Gas Industries (72), Nobel Gas Industry Pvt. Ltd. (57), Baba Gas Industry (51), Janaki Gas Industry (50), and Everest Gas Industry (42) during the first 20 days of Shrawan.

LPG tankers typically bring gas from refineries in Durgapur, Haldia, Barauni, and Paradip, India through the Birgunj border. However, Mr. Sah said that supplies from the Durgapur and Haldia refineries have stopped since Asar 26 due to a fire.

According to Mr. Sah, the shortage has been caused by panic buying. When half-filled cylinders were distributed, many households increased the number of gas cylinders they owned. After full-cylinder distribution resumed, consumers began refilling all their cylinders, creating an artificial shortage in the market.

He said:

"There will be no gas shortage in the coming days. The problem arose because rumors of a shortage prompted people to refill every cylinder they had at home. We have not stopped anyone. We are issuing Product Delivery Orders for all available supplies."

Super Gas Industry Fined Rs. 20,000

A monitoring team led by Krishna Kumar Chapagain, Assistant Chief District Officer of Parsa, along with representatives from the Nepal Oil Corporation's Birgunj office, the Gas Dealers' Association, the Commerce Office, the Weights and Measures Office, and journalists, fined Super Gas Industry, located in Birgunj Metropolitan City–18, Rs. 20,000.

The team found evidence that the company had been selling LPG directly to consumers at retail prices without issuing proper invoices. The company was warned not to repeat such practices and was fined Rs. 20,000.

The monitoring team also inspected Manoj Gas Industry in Birgunj–22. The industry was instructed to submit daily reports on operational progress and gas import/export details to both the District Administration Office and the Nepal Oil Corporation's Birgunj office.