Households feel strain as LPG shortage hits consumers

As the market shows signs of a cooking gas shortage, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has rushed to dismiss any talk of a shortage. LPG stocks are said to be healthy and imports, according to official figures, are running above the usual level. The message is people should not worry. But walk into a gas shop in Kathmandu and you will face the ground reality. Customers are told to wait four to five days. Dealers offer vague assurances. Between what the data says and what households face, a gap has opened, and it keeps growing. NOC says supply is moving smoothly from India. It points to recent imports when 140 gas bullets were loaded, followed by another day with 100 bullets, both above the seasonal average. The daily demand, NOC says, stays around 70 to 75 bullets, or about 1,260 tonnes. To stay ahead of winter use and election season pressure, it has issued about 10 percent more purchase delivery orders to importers. On paper, these numbers look comforting. Those closer to the trade tell a different story. Gas bottlers and dealers say winter use jumps by around 15 percent, stretching an already tight chain. They also point to lower supplies from Indian depots, especially Barauni, in recent days.