BIRGANJ: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) said it is distributing petroleum products to run essential services in Janakpur, Narayani and Bagmati zones from its stock at Amlekhganj Depot though no fuel could be brought in from Raxaul and Barauni of India due border blockade for over three months.

Bhanubhakta Khanal, the chief of NOC's Amlekhganj-based Central Region Office, said though the stock is dwindling the NOC is distributing petrol and diesel to 19 districts and will continue to do so till the blockade is lifted and the supply is eased.

According to him, NOC is providing fuel to passenger buses, foodstuff carriers, ambulances and other vehicles providing essential services on the recommendation of Hetaunda-based Central Region Administration Office, and respective District Administration Offices in the central region.

Khanal informed that NOC is distributing 12,000 litres of petrol and 60,000 litres of diesel on a daily basis from Amlekhganj.

The state-owned fuel monopoly used to import 70 per cent of total petroleum products consumed in Nepal through Birganj.

Before the blockade, on average 932,000 litre petroleum products were imported from Indian side and distributed in Nepal from Amlekhganj depot on a daily basis.