Kathmandu Valley to Allow LPG Cylinder Swaps Between Companies Amid Gas Shortage
The government has introduced a temporary cross-company LPG cylinder exchange system in Kathmandu Valley to ease cooking gas shortages caused by disruptions to supply after the floods.
· 2 min read
KATHMANDU: The government has introduced a temporary arrangement allowing consumers in Kathmandu Valley to exchange LPG cylinders between different gas companies as the Valley continues to face cooking gas shortages following flood-related disruptions to the supply system.
Under the new arrangement, consumers who cannot find their usual gas brand can purchase gas from another company by exchanging their existing cylinder at the same price.
Consumers Can Use Another Company’s Cylinder
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has directed the Nepal Oil Corporation and LPG companies to immediately put the arrangement into practice.
The measure is intended to ensure that consumers do not have to wait for their regular brand when supplies are disrupted.
What the new arrangement means
Consumers can exchange their usual company's cylinder for another company's cylinder.
The arrangement applies within Kathmandu Valley.
The cylinder can be exchanged at the same price.
The system is intended to remain in place until LPG supply returns to normal.
Nepal Oil Corporation and gas companies have been instructed to facilitate the process.
Temporary Measure After Flood-Related Supply Disruptions
The government introduced the system after floods disrupted transportation and supply routes, creating difficulties in bringing cooking gas into Kathmandu Valley.
The ministry said the alternative distribution system is aimed at providing immediate relief to consumers while normal supply arrangements are restored.
Instead of requiring households to wait for a particular brand, the system allows available LPG from other companies to be used.
Government Warns Against Artificial Shortages
Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav has also warned businesses and other concerned parties against taking advantage of the disaster situation.
According to the ministry, action will be taken under the law against anyone found creating an artificial shortage, causing unnecessary hardship to consumers or refusing to follow government instructions.
The government has also asked concerned agencies to remain active and remove obstacles affecting LPG distribution.
Focus on Keeping Kitchens Running
The temporary arrangement comes as households face difficulties obtaining cooking gas during a period when the country's supply routes have been affected by the floods.
The government says the priority is to keep cooking gas available to households and prevent consumers from suffering because their regular brand is temporarily unavailable.
For now, the cross-company cylinder exchange system applies only to Kathmandu Valley.
Published 2 days ago in Society