Nepal Has Cooking Gas, But No Cylinders as Half-Fill Policy Keeps Them at Homes

The Kathmandu Post reports on a perplexing situation unfolding in Nepal, where the availability of cooking gas is paradoxically hampered by a shortage of its most basic container: the cylinder. A recent government initiative to distribute half-filled LPG cylinders, aimed at conserving energy, has backfired spectacularly.

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We have not been able to unload the cooking gas from bullets due to a lack of cylinders. Most cylinders are being held by customers hoping that full cylinders will arrive, which has affected the normal flow of cooking gas in the market.

Instead of circulating normally, a significant majority of cylinders are now being held by consumers who are gambling on the eventual return of full cylinders. This hoarding has choked the supply chain, leaving cooking gas inaccessible for many.

Adding to the crisis, reports of dangerous, illegal refilling practices are surfacing, particularly in the Tarai region and Kathmandu Valley. Restaurants and hotels, struggling with the insufficient pressure from half-filled cylinders, are resorting to desperate measures like heating them with lukewarm water. This not only highlights the operational challenges but also raises serious safety concerns about potential leaks and damage to valves.

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The half cooking gas cylinder does not create enough pressure while cooking in large pots. We have been using lukewarm water on the cylinder to maintain pressure.

The situation is compounded by a recent price hike, making cooking gas even less affordable for Nepalis. The Nepal Oil Corporation's decision to increase prices, despite incurring losses, adds another layer of hardship. This crisis underscores the unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies and the delicate balance required to manage essential resources.

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Currently, around 66 percent of cylinders are with customers, while the rest are either in transit or with dealers.