Gas Queues Continue Despite Expanded Services
Sabika Shrestha
The government has introduced a cylinder exchange system to prevent cooking gas shortages during the Dashain festival. However, consumers continue to face difficulties, with many forced to wait in long queues for hours due to inadequate gas supplies.
To ease the hardship faced by consumers amid cooking gas shortages ahead of Dashain, the number of cylinder exchange centres in the Kathmandu Valley has been increased to 11, with coordination from the Nepal Oil Corporation and the active involvement of the Gas Sellers’ Federation.
Under the system, which came into effect on Sunday, October 11, consumers can exchange an empty cylinder of any brand for a filled cylinder of another brand at designated centres without paying any additional charge.
The facility will be available from Ghatasthapana through Phulpati of Dashain, allowing consumers to exchange empty cylinders for filled ones of any brand at 11 designated centres across the Kathmandu Valley.
The centres include Balaju, Sifal, Pepsi Cola, Sukedhara, Kalanki in Kathmandu and Harisiddhi in Lalitpur, among other locations.
However, despite the expansion of the service, gas shortages and disorganized distribution continue to cause problems for consumers. Consumers say the problem of having to spend an entire day in queues to get a single gas cylinder persists, leaving them frustrated.
The system was introduced to eliminate difficulties caused by brand differences and ensure easier access to cooking gas. However, its limited effectiveness has left consumers facing further inconvenience during the festive season.
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