POKHARA: The shortage of cooking gas that began in Pokhara in July has yet to ease, despite gas companies claiming they have been regularly supplying cylinders to the market.
Many consumers have been waiting for gas for days, while some say they have failed to get cylinders even after standing in long queues. Gas companies, however, claim they are supplying more LPG than during the same period last year.
The companies have attributed the shortage to consumers stockpiling more cylinders than necessary.
Grihalaxmi Gas Company said it sold around 37,000 cylinders in Kaski in July last year, while it had already supplied 47,000 cylinders to Pokhara by August 10 this year.
Despite the increased supply, queues of consumers have continued.
Grihalaxmi General Manager Bhim Lamichhane said LPG consumption is normally lower during July, but the shortage has persisted because consumers have been storing gas in anticipation of a possible shortage during the upcoming festive season.
“July is generally a period of lower gas consumption. But despite sending more cylinders to the market than last year, the shortage has not ended. Consumers are worried that there could be a shortage as the festivals approach, so they are filling and storing even empty cylinders,” he said.
The government had introduced a system of selling half-filled LPG cylinders for around four months following tensions in the Middle East to manage gas supplies.
Lamichhane said the market remained relatively stable while half-filled cylinders were being sold, but demand surged after full 14.2-kg cylinders returned to the market.
“There was no shortage when half-filled cylinders were being supplied. Consumers were confident they could get gas when needed and did not stockpile it. But once full cylinders started coming back, consumers began storing gas,” he said.
Grihalaxmi, Shakti, Baba and Janaki are among the companies supplying LPG cylinders in Pokhara.
Kaski Assistant Chief District Officer Chitrang Baral said the market had faced some disruption after demand for LPG increased nationwide following the resumption of full-cylinder distribution.
He said authorities were working to make the supply and distribution system more effective to balance rising demand and supply.
Baral also urged consumers not to stockpile more LPG cylinders than they need.
The administration has also allowed LPG cylinders to be sold through grocery stores in an effort to make supplies more accessible and reduce consumers’ difficulties.
“Gas is coming into the market. Janaki is sending 3,500 cylinders to Pokhara today as well. There should not be such a shortage in the market. The problem is due to stockpiling,” Baral said.
The district administration said it was coordinating with LPG industries inside and outside Kaski, as well as Nepal Oil Corporation, to ensure adequate supplies of cooking gas in the district.
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