KATHMANDU: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has failed to live up to its commitments to boost petroleum supply. The IOC, which had on Sunday pledged to supply adequate fuel, has been providing fuel to just 10 percent of the NOC tankers reaching IOC depots, according to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).
After the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister KP Oli, the IOC had on Sunday asked the NOC officials over the phone to dispatch tankers to IOC depots for fuel. It even refilled more than 100 tankers on Monday and Tuesday. However, the supply was again cut on Wednesday and Thursday.
NOC Managing Director Gopal Bahadur Khadka said they were holding talks with IOC officials on a daily basis. “IOC officials said they cut the supply as per the orders from ‘higher authority’ and that the issue should be resolved through government-to-government talks,” he said. On Wednesday, the IOC provided fuel to only one-third of the tankers reaching its depots, while just 10 percent of the tankers were refilled on Thursday too.
Only 40 fuel tankers and four LPG bullets entered Nepal on Thursday. Of the total imports, 13 diesel tankers, one petrol tanker and two gas bullets entered through Nepalgunj customs point, while five diesel tankers and two petrol tankers came through Gaurifanta, Kailali.
Likewise, seven diesel tankers, two petrol tankers two gas bullets entered Nepal through the Bhairahawa customs point, while six diesel tankers, three petrol tankers and a aviation fuel tanker cross the border through Kakarvitta customs point.
Meanwhile, 30 loaded fuel tankers have been stuck on the Indian side of the Biratnagar-Jogbani customs point. NOC officials said the tankers, even after customs clearance, could not cross the border due to traffic congestion.
