KATHMANDU, APRIL 3
The Nepal Oil Corporation has increased the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs 15 per litre, with the revised rates coming into effect from midnight Thursday.
The latest adjustment marks the second fuel price hike in recent days, as the state-owned supplier cited a sustained rise in international petroleum prices.
Under the new rates, petrol is priced at Rs 199.50 per litre in Charali, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Amalekhgunj, Dhangadhi and Birgunj. The price stands at Rs 201 per litre in Surkhet and Dang, and Rs 202 per litre in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dipayal. Diesel and kerosene prices have also been increased by Rs 15 per litre.
The price revision follows mounting financial losses reported by the corporation due to surging global fuel prices, largely driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. NOC said the continued rise in international prices has limited its ability to fully adjust domestic prices under the automatic pricing mechanism.
Earlier, the corporation had increased aviation fuel prices effective from April 1. Domestic aviation fuel rose by Rs 124 per litre to Rs 251 per litre. For international flights, aviation fuel prices for Kathmandu were set at USD 1,785 per kilolitre, while rates for Pokhara and Bhairahawa were fixed at breakeven levels of USD 1,732 and USD 1,716 per kilolitre, respectively.
Despite the latest adjustment, NOC said it continues to incur losses of Rs 34.36 per litre on petrol, Rs 12.54 per litre on diesel, and Rs 416.37 per cylinder on LPG.
The corporation had earlier kept fuel prices unchanged despite an increase in aviation fuel price, citing consumer interest and the use of its price stabilisation fund, but was compelled to revise rates following sustained pressure from rising import costs.