KATHMANDU: The government is importing an additional 3,000 tons of LP gas from Panipat Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) by May-end to improve supplies in the market. Earlier in April, IOC had urged Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to import gas from its Panipat and Paradip refineries for few months after its refineries in Barauni, Haldia and Mathura failed to meet NOC’s demands.
Mathura, Haldia and Barauni refineries of IOC could supply only 27,000 tons even though NOC had demanded 37,000 tons. Sources say NOC has already started importing gas from Panipat refinery. The state-owned petroleum monopolist, however, has not made any imports from Orissa-based Paradip refinery.
Talking to Republica, Mukunda Ghimire, spokesperson of NOC, said they have imported 1,200 tons of gas from Panipat refinery till Thursday. “We have sent more bullets to collect additional quota approved by IOC,” Ghimire said, adding: “NOC is trying to import all 3,000 tons within May.”
According to Ghimire, gas imported from Panipat refinery will be supplied to markets in western parts of the country like Dhangadi and Nepalgunj. “As bottlers in mid and far-western region will get gas supply from Panipat, we have urged them to divert supplies from Barauni, Haldia and Mathura to Kathmandu Valley,” Ghimire added.
Ghimire, however, said that it might take some more days to begin gas import from Paradip refinery. “We have already tabled a proposal to import LP gas from Paradip refinery to our board of directors. The process will move forward once board endorses the proposal,” he added.
NOC is preparing to import some 10,000 tons of gas from Paradip refinery. Meanwhile, Supplies Secretary Shreedhar Sapkota said that the government was doing its best to import LP gas both from Paradip and Panipat refineries. “Shortage in the market cannot be addressed without making additional imports from Paradip and Panipat refineries,” Sapkota told Republica, adding: “While supply from Panipat refinery has already begun, we will begin importing gas from Paradip refinery very soon.”
