Government to construct three more fuel depots in nation

Kathmandu December 8– The government is planning to construct fuel storage facilities in Panchkhal of Kavre, Trishuli of Nuwakotand Khaireni in Tanahun soon.

Under Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Shiva Prasad Tripathi said each facility would have the storage capacity of 6,000 kilolitres of petrol. He added that the Chinese government has been approached for constructing the fuel storage facilities.

Likewise, all the depots would have a 1,000-kilolire diesel storage facility.

The Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs have already forwarded the proposal to this effect at the request of the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies. Currently only 71,569 kilolitres of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel are stored in the country. There is no provision for the storage of kerosene and LPG on a large scale.

Currently, the nation can store petrol for a week, diesel for 15 days and aviation fuel for 10 days.

Nepal Oil Corporation has fuel storage facilities in Thankot, the Tribhuvan International Airport and Sinamangal of Kathmandu, Bhairahawa of Rupandehi, Pokhara of Kaski, Nepalgunj of Banke and Biratnagar of Morang, among other places.

Tripathi said a proposal has been presented to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the assistance.Source: THT