KATHMANDU: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) said that it would not be able to distribute fuel for the moment, as it has run out of stock, while imports from India have come to a halt for the past five days.

At a press conference here on Monday, NOC Director Gopal Bahadur Khadka said that fuel cannot be provided at the moment to consumers as efforts to import fuel have failed while alternative measures have yet to be found despite continuous efforts.

"Our homework (to import fuel) seems to have been insufficient, alternative means have not worked," he said, "So fuel supply will not be easy at the moment."

He also said that the fuel supply would not ease unless the government designated any company to import fuel along with a determination of the price for it.

The problem must be addressed at a higher level, Khadka said.

The NOC Director also appealed to all not to queue before the fuel stations until a notice would be released from the NOC in that regard.

Transit points with China have been used as an alternative to bring in petroleum products, but not the cooking gas, he clarified.

The efforts to import LPG from Bangladesh have also not bore any fruit till the date. Of the 1,300 kilolitres of petrol granted by China, 655 kilolitres have already brought to Nepal.

The NOC, however, said it has some reserve meant only for special and emergency purpose.