What we know
- The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has requested LPG distributors to sell cylinders at Rs 2,060, according to Online Khabar English.
- This price was set by the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) last Friday.
- Previously, companies supplying the Kathmandu Valley had added Rs 105.38 per cylinder for increased transport costs.
- The additional charge was due to using alternative routes after the Prithvi Highway was blocked by floods in the Bhote Koshi River.
What this means if you are travelling
- Travellers staying in guesthouses or homestays in Kathmandu that use LPG for cooking might see a return to the standard gas price.
- Those travelling outside Kathmandu to areas like Pokhara are unlikely to be directly affected by this specific directive, as it focuses on Kathmandu Valley suppliers.
- There is no indication of a shortage, only a pricing adjustment for distributors.
- Always confirm current conditions and prices with your accommodation or tour operator, especially if your itinerary involves self-catering or extended stays in one location.
LPG distributors in the Kathmandu Valley have been asked to sell cooking gas cylinders at the Nepal Oil Corporation's (NOC) fixed rate of Rs 2,060 per cylinder. This directive was issued by the Nepal LP Gas Industry Association in a statement on Wednesday, urging gas companies to comply with the price set by the NOC from last Friday, Online Khabar English reported on September 17.
Background to Price Adjustments
The request follows a period where LPG companies supplying the Kathmandu Valley were charging an additional Rs 105.38 per cylinder. This extra charge was implemented to cover increased transportation costs. The need for alternative routes arose after the Prithvi Highway was obstructed due to floods in the Bhote Koshi River.
Following the highway disruption, gas companies began refilling cylinders at plants located in various areas including Makwanpur, Parsa, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, and Dhanusha from August 30. These cylinders were then transported to Kathmandu via alternative routes, which incurred additional expenses.
Current Pricing Directives
The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has now explicitly asked industry operators to sell the cooking gas cylinders at the NOC-fixed rate of Rs 2,060 per cylinder. This aims to standardize prices for consumers within the Kathmandu Valley.
Impact on Travellers in Nepal
For foreign travellers currently in Nepal or planning a trip, this development primarily concerns the Kathmandu Valley. If you are staying in Kathmandu in accommodations that rely on LPG for cooking, such as guesthouses or smaller hotels, the price of cooking gas should now align with the official rate.
- Travellers in Pokhara and other regions of Nepal are not directly affected by this specific pricing directive, as it is focused on suppliers to the Kathmandu Valley.
- There is no indication in the reporting of any shortage of LPG, only a change in the pricing structure for distributors.
- It is always advisable to confirm any local conditions or costs with your accommodation provider or trekking operator, especially for longer stays or treks where provisions are arranged locally.
Ongoing Road Conditions
While this news addresses the pricing of LPG cylinders, the underlying cause of the increased transport costs, the obstruction of the Prithvi Highway due to floods in the Bhote Koshi River, indicates that some road disruptions may still be a factor in transport logistics. Travellers should remain aware of potential impacts on travel times for overland journeys.
Reported by
This update summarises reporting from the outlets below and adds our own planning guidance. Follow the links for the original reports.
Questions travellers are asking
What is the new recommended price for an LPG cylinder in Kathmandu?
The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has urged distributors to sell LPG cylinders at Rs 2,060, which is the price fixed by the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), according to Online Khabar English.
Why were gas companies charging more previously?
Gas companies were charging an additional Rs 105.38 per cylinder to cover increased transportation costs. This was necessary because the Prithvi Highway was obstructed by floods in the Bhote Koshi River, forcing companies to use alternative, more expensive routes to transport cylinders to Kathmandu.
Does this price change affect travellers outside of Kathmandu?
This specific directive mainly affects LPG suppliers and prices within the Kathmandu Valley. Travellers in other regions, such as Pokhara, are not directly impacted by this particular pricing adjustment.
What caused the transport issues that led to higher prices?
The transport issues stemmed from the obstruction of the Prithvi Highway due to floods in the Bhote Koshi River. This forced LPG companies to refill cylinders at plants in locations like Makwanpur, Parsa, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, and Dhanusha and then transport them to Kathmandu via alternative routes.