Key Takeaways:
- Prithvi Highway collapse at Krishna Bhir blocked LPG bullets from reaching Kathmandu
- Companies shifted bottling to Chitwan, Birgunj, Nawalparasi, Hetauda plants
- 16 gas industries coordinating with plants outside Valley to maintain supply
- Consumers queuing at outlets, but officials say imports remain steady at 60,200 MT last month
A highway blockage caused by a landslide has disrupted Kathmandu's LPG supply chain, prompting gas companies to start bottling cooking gas outside the Valley and transport filled cylinders into the capital through alternative routes.
The disruption follows the collapse of the Prithvi Highway at Krishna Bhir in Dhading after flood-related damage in Rasuwa. LPG bullets headed for Kathmandu have been unable to reach the Valley, affecting supplies at gas outlets.
Companies have responded by shifting bottling operations to plants in other districts. Baba Gas in Chitwan dispatched 1,500 Shree Gas cylinders, while Sai Baba Gas sent 900 cylinders and Nepal Gas Gandaki filled 1,200 cylinders for Balaju. Similar operations are under way in Birgunj, Nawalparasi and Hetauda.
STC Gas of Salt Trading Corporation is being bottled at Manoj Gas in Birgunj, while other companies have also started using plants outside the Valley. Association member Bimal Kalakheti said firms unable to send LPG bullets to Kathmandu are coordinating with plants elsewhere to fill cylinders and transport them by truck.
The Nepal Oil Corporation has permitted companies to fill cylinders outside Kathmandu, according to association president Dewan Chand. Sixteen gas industries in Kathmandu and neighbouring districts are coordinating with plants in Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Makwanpur and Nawalparasi to maintain supply.
Around 40% of Nepal's LPG consumption occurs in Kathmandu Valley, Chand said. Consumers have begun facing difficulties, with queues reported at outlets such as Nepal Gas in Anamnagar.
Gas officials, however, say the situation does not indicate an overall shortage. Kalakheti noted that 60,200 metric tonnes of LPG were imported from India last month, the highest volume so far, with imports continuing at a similar rate. The immediate challenge is moving and bottling gas for Kathmandu after the highway disruption, not a decline in imports.
Authorities are continuing efforts to clear the landslide and restore road connectivity.