LPG price capped at Rs 2,165.38 per cylinder in Kathmandu amid flood disruptions
KATHMANDU: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Kathmandu Valley is to be sold at a maximum price of Rs 2,165.38 per cylinder after severe flooding along the Trishuli River disrupted normal supply routes into the capital.
Nepal LP Gas Association (NLPGA) instructed all gas distributors in the valley to cap retail prices at Rs 2,165.38 per cylinder following a decision taken at its 31st annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. The total combines the standard Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) base rate of Rs 2,060 with Rs 105.38 transport surcharge.
Severe road erosion caused by floodwaters damaged Krishnabhir stretch of Prithvi Highway, blocking traffic and interrupting gas deliveries. The NLPGA said the detour from Hetauda to Kathmandu spans 131 kilometres and incurs additional freight costs.
Under previous NOC ruling, the supplementary freight charge for moving gas from Sahara Gas Industries in Hetauda to Kathmandu along the alternative route was set at Rs 93.26 per cylinder, rising to Rs 105.38 once standard taxes are included.
Following a meeting between the NOC and NLPGA, officials agreed to refill gas cylinders at plants in Makawanpur, Parsa, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Dhading districts. The refilled cylinders will be brought into the Kathmandu Valley by truck via alternative roads, and gas companies operating within the valley must send their cylinders to those regional facilities for refilling.
To help stabilise the distribution network during the disaster, the NLPGA requested gas producers and vendors to refrain from introducing new cylinders to the market.
NLPGA President Diwan Bahadur Chand appealed to gas industrialists and distributors to keep supplies flowing through alternative arrangements to ensure consumers do not experience shortages during this difficult period.
