Kathmandu, September 30

Deepening fuel shortage has reduced vehicular traffic in the Kathmandu Valley with more than 75 per cent of the vehicles staying off roads.

Recently, the government enforced a quota system on fuel distribution as supply of petroleum products from India to Nepal remains disrupted due to the ongoing agitation by Madhesh-based parties in the Tarai.

Acute shortage of petroleum products has severely crippled life in the Valley.

Motorists were seen shuttling between fuel stations in search of fuel. They have lashed out at the government for failing to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products.

“I have been waiting for hours to fill my scooter. But I doubt if I will get petrol,” Mohan Rimal, a motorcyclist, reacted while queuing outside a filling station of Nepal Police at Naxal. Some of the people were seen squeezing into jam-packed public vehicles, while others were heading for their destinations on foot braving the scorching sun.

According to the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, there was a significant decrease in the number of vehicles arriving to and departing from Kathmandu. Only around 25 per cent long-routes vehicles are operating currently due to the fuel crisis. On normal days, around 700,000 vehicles, both four-wheeler and two-wheeler, ply the roads in the capital.

Vehicle owners were seen queuing outside a few filling stations that have been designated by the government for supplying petroleum products.

A traffic police official said the queue of motorists at Bhadrakali-based petrol pump of Nepali Army has reached up to Babar Mahal. The situation is no better at Sajha Petrol Pump in Pulchowk, Nepali Army petrol pump at Batuk Bhairav, Armed Police Force petrol pump in Swoyambhu and Nepal Police petrol pump in Naxal.