Kathmandu, November 6

Over 1,000 companies have submitted applications at Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) to set up new fuel stations (petrol pumps) across the country.

After NOC opened the licence for new fuel stations in May after a gap of almost seven years, the fuel entity has been flooded with applications from domestic investors interested to set up petrol pumps, informed Birendra Goit, spokesperson for the corporation.

As of now, NOC is examining all applications and will award the licence to the deserving candidates, said Goit. However, NOC has not decided on how many licences will be issued.

NOC had stopped issuing licence to set up fuel stations in 2013. However, it opened the licence process in May seeking applications from those who want to open fuel stations along highways, hilly areas and at the local level. Along with development activities gathering momentum in recent years, NOC is planning to ensure availability of ample number of petrol pumps along the highways and the local levels.

However, NOC has set certain criteria that new fuel stations must comply with. As per the new standard, new fuel stations in Kathmandu and Lalitpur must be developed in an area of one ropani eight aanas, while those in hilly areas should be spread over an area of eight katthas. Similarly, these fuel stations should also ensure basic facilities to customers.