Kathmandu traffic thrown out of gear after consumers block road demanding fuel

Taxi drivers and bikers have obstructed transports in various places in Kathmandu on Thursday morning protesting the decision of the Ministry of Supplies to limit distribution of petrol.

The vehicle drivers blocked traffic in Koteshwor, Baneshowor, Swayambu, Balaju, Naxal, Chabahil, Hariharbhawan and other places demanding petrol supplies from the pumps owned by government agencies.

Hundreds of vehicles owners demonstrated in front of the Nepal Police petrol pump in Naxal. Police said attempts are underway to resume normal traffic.

The supply ministry on Wednesday had decided to decrease the distribution of petrol from pumps owned by Sajha, Nepali Army and Nepal Police and increase the supply to private pumps. It decided to sell petrol only to people with coupons from these institutional petrol stations.

However, since most private petrol pumps are dry, consumers have been angered by the latest decision.

The state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has said that it is not in a position to ensure smooth supply since it had no money to purchase adequate volume of fuel from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Due to non-payment of outstanding dues, the IOC has been cutting down its supplies to NOC in recent months. nepalnews.com is Sep 20 07

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