Government revives failed plan to separate household and commercial LPG
Summary
The government is reviving plans to separate household and commercial LPG supplies after shortages in Kathmandu exposed weaknesses in Nepal’s cooking gas distribution system. A committee has been formed to study cylinder sizes, pricing and long-term supply reforms, but earlier attempts in 2011 and 2013 collapsed without implementation.
Key Points
- The government has formed a committee to study separate LPG supplies for household and commercial users after prolonged shortages in Kathmandu.
- Earlier attempts to implement red-and-blue cylinders in 2013 and consumer cards in 2011 failed before taking effect.
- The Nepal Oil Corporation says commercial users benefit from subsidised household gas and the state loses Rs411 per cylinder.
- Officials and industry representatives say any new system will need clear classification, safety checks and a workable subsidy mechanism.
