(Kathmandu) Diesel, kerosene crunch worsens

KATHMANDU, Jan 29 - A shortage of diesel and kerosene has gripped the country, creating panic in the transport sector, posing a threat to industry and badly hurting low-end consumers.

On Monday, long queues of buses and micro-buses could be seen at Bhadrakali, Naxal and other leading gas stations in the Valley, while the petroleum dealers association said most of the pumps in the tarai and along the major highways remained closed as they had run out of supplies.

"If the situation continues, long-haul public transport and the movement of freight carriers will be badly curtailed," said Dinesh Bhandari, president of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs Federation (NTEF).

Dealers blamed Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for the crisis. NOC officials admitted that the corporation had not been able to provide adequate supplies because its stock was running low. They added that the corporation did not have money to import more fuel because it was losing Rs 600 million every month.

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