Kathmandu, March 24: The government has moved forward with discussions on implementing an odd-even vehicle system. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has held talks on operating public vehicles based on odd and even registration numbers to reduce fuel consumption. The Department of Transport Management has also discussed the matter with transport entrepreneurs.
Due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has caused a surge in crude oil prices in the international market, preparations are underway to implement the odd-even system for vehicles in Nepal to reduce petroleum consumption. As a result of the conflict, the price of crude oil in the international market has risen to 102 US dollars per barrel.
Increases in international prices tend to impact the local market. According to the latest price list sent last week by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the price of petrol rose by Rs 31 per liter, diesel by Rs 54 per liter, and cooking LPG gas by Rs 216 per cylinder. Although prices increased significantly, the Nepal Oil Corporation raised petrol prices by Rs 15 and diesel/kerosene by Rs 10, managing the rest through the price stabilization fund.
Ministry spokesperson Netra Prasad Subedi stated that although discussions have been held on implementing the odd-even system for vehicles, no decision has yet been made on when it will come into effect. He urged increased use of electricity to reduce fuel consumption, suggesting alternatives such as induction stoves and rice cookers instead of gas.
The ministry stated that discussions on reducing consumption were initiated to prevent potential problems in Nepal following disruptions in the global supply of petroleum products due to the West Asian conflict.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Department of Transport Management, Rajiv Pokharel, informed that private operators have been called for discussions on Tuesday regarding the implementation of the odd-even system and related measures.
Despite rising international crude oil prices, imports have also increased. According to the Department of Customs, petroleum imports have risen during the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2082/83. Compared to the month of Magh, imports of diesel, petrol, aviation fuel, and cooking LPG increased in Falgun. The department reported that petrol imports rose from 442,787 kiloliters in Magh to 511,907 kiloliters in Falgun. Similarly, diesel imports increased from 766,936 kiloliters to 896,448 kiloliters during the same period.
People’s News Monitoring Service/Gorkhapatra daily
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