India's blockade over Nepal causes severe fuel shortages
Panic has struck Nepal as the government imposes fuel rations due to the India's blockade of fuel and other products - now on its sixth day.
Nepal´s Home Ministry said the country faces an ‘emergency’ in fuel supply. India has carried out an ‘unofficial’ embargo in Nepal by blocking fuel supplies along with other essentials, reports the Kathmandu Post.
Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, spokesman for the ministry, confirmed the government intervention in the fuel market, with quotas on fuel distribution and rationing of vehicles on the streets to keep consumption to a minimum.
Long queues formed by exasperated drivers could be seen at all gas stations with fuel supply. The Nepal Oil Corporation is distributing fuel products mainly through state-owned filling stations, with private dealer up in arms about the lack of supplies they receive.
India has implemented a blockade on petroleum products and cooking gas citing “insecurity” in Nepal.