Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS) has stated that the Government of India appears positive on providing 160 additional gas bullets to help its northern neighbor to solve the ongoing problem of the shortage of cooking gas.

Speaking at a program organized by the National Consumers' Forum in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Ministry Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Jitendra Basnet informed that diplomatic efforts are underway to increase the monthly supply from 50,000 metric tons to over 60,000 metric tons. “In this regard, Indian authorities have expressed a positive response to provide 160 additional gas bullets to solve the crisis seen in the valley,” he said.

Basnet mentioned that efforts are being made also to open the road at Krishnabhir for two-way traffic. “Once gas bullets start entering the valley, the situation will ease, and distribution will resume at the standard rates.”

Basnet said the government has targeted to bring in 50,000 cylinders daily. But the actual distribution hovers between 35,000 and 50,000 cylinders. According to him, empty cylinders from Kathmandu are being transported by truck to industries in the Terai region, refilled through three-shift operations, and then brought back via the Tribhuvan Highway.

Meanwhile, the MoICS urges general people who do not have an immediate need of the cooking gas to avoid queuing unnecessarily for stockpiling. The MoICS has urged concerned distributors to prioritize individuals who own only one cylinder, students living in rented accommodation, new mothers, pregnant women, and low-income groups.