Over 24,000 Gas Cylinders Entering the Valley; Fuel Supply Intensified for Rescue Operations

Kathmandu: Following the block in the Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has utilized an alternative route—the Tribhuvan Highway (Byroad)—to arrange the supply of petroleum products and LP gas to the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts.

The NOC activated the alternative route after petroleum tankers and gas bullets were halted due to road subsidence caused by erosion from the Trishuli River on August 30 (Bhadra 14). LP gas industries are filling cylinders from depots in the Terai and transporting them to Kathmandu via this route. The corporation stated that around 24,500 cylinders of various brands were brought into the Valley today alone, and this process will continue regularly in larger quantities starting tomorrow.

Additionally, the NOC has been maintaining continuous fuel distribution to support rescue and relief operations in districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan, which were affected by severe flooding in the Bhotekoshi River on August 26 (Bhadra 10).

To manage fuel for helicopters deployed in search and rescue operations, a refueling service has been operated from the Nepalese Army barracks in Nuwakot, in coordination with the army. The corporation reported that 102,000 liters of aviation fuel have been dispatched for refueling since August 26, and this service is running regularly.

Similarly, through the NOC's Bagmati Provincial Office in Thankot, 105,000 liters of petrol and 202,000 liters of diesel have been provided so far to petrol pumps operating in the flood-affected areas. Arrangements have also been made to sell and distribute fuel according to demand, even on public holidays.