Cooking Gas Shortage Hits Market Amid Supply Disruptions

A shortage of cooking gas has emerged in the market in recent weeks due to supply constraints, leaving consumers struggling to obtain liquefied petroleum (LP) gas on time.

Gas seller Pramod Rana of Kirtipur said he has been facing frequent complaints from customers as he has been unable to supply cooking gas as required. He said dealers themselves have been sending reduced quantities of gas, making it difficult to meet consumer demand.

“We have not been receiving the quantity of gas we demand from the dealers,” Rana said. “So I am prioritising customers who have registered their names in advance. Some customers return angrily when they cannot get gas.”

The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has also acknowledged the shortage, saying that supply has been affected for the past few weeks. According to the association, the shortage has been caused by maintenance work at some gas refineries in India, which has disrupted regular supplies.

“When we do not have enough gas ourselves, we cannot supply it to consumers,” said association president Diwan Chand. “Winter is usually a season with high demand for gas, and the shortage at this time has added to consumers’ difficulties.”

Chand said the main reasons behind the shortage include maintenance work at Indian refineries, increased consumption during the winter season and problems in transportation management. Nepal mainly imports LP gas from Indian refineries in Mathura, Barauni, Paradip and Durgapur.

He said the Mathura refinery has been supplying gas regularly as per the allocated volume. However, gas supply from the Barauni refinery—considered the nearest and primary supply centre—was completely halted for several days due to frequent maintenance and technical problems at its old plant. Partial supply has now resumed from Barauni, he added.

Similarly, gas imports from the Paradip and Durgapur refineries have remained lower than expected.

“This is not a complete shortage,” Chand said. “But during winter, gas consumption rises in India as well, and suppliers there prioritise domestic demand before exporting to Nepal.”

He also noted that speculation over a possible US attack on Iran has prompted people to stockpile essential petroleum products, including cooking gas. A significant portion of global oil and gas supply comes from the Gulf countries.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has denied claims of a gas shortage. NOC spokesperson Manoj Kumar Thakur said there is no shortage of cooking gas in the country.

He said supply has been affected mainly due to transportation problems rather than a lack of gas. According to him, Nepal has to rely on Indian transporters in the absence of sufficient Nepali carriers.

“During winter, demand for gas also rises in India, and Indian transporters prefer to operate there as they earn more, which affects supply to Nepal,” Thakur said. “The Indian Oil Corporation has supplied gas as per our demand. However, gas from Nepal Gas, Saibaba and Om Gas has not been easily available.”

According to the NOC, Nepal’s average monthly demand for LP gas stands at around 45,000 metric tonnes. Demand rises to about 48,000 metric tonnes during winter months, while it remains at around 45,000 metric tonnes during normal periods.

However, association president Chand said gas imports this month could decline to around 42,000–43,000 metric tonnes.

Gas consumption in the Kathmandu Valley alone increases by 20–25 percent during winter compared to normal periods. The association said that while the market is experiencing a temporary shortage, a long-term crisis is unlikely.