Cars in Nepal line up for scarce fuel in shortage

KATMANDU, Nepal: A fuel shortage in Nepal’s capital has forced cars, trucks and buses to line up for rationed gasoline and diesel.
The country’s latest energy crisis comes after the state-owned importer failed to pay its Indian supplier.

Updated 19 April 2011 13:16

Associated Press

April 19, 2011 13:16

Few stations in Katmandu had any fuel to sell Tuesday.

Those that were open limited sales to between about 1 and 5 gallons (5 and 20 liters) per customer.

Landlocked Nepal imports all its oil products from India.

Nepal Oil Corp spokesman Mukunda Dhungel said sole supplier Indian Oil Corp cut off shipments because of unpaid debt.

The government announced it is giving Nepal Oil 1.5 billion rupees ($21 million) to clear part of the debt and resume imports.

Dhungel said it would take a few more days for supply to be normal.