The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reinitiated the sale and distribution of petroleum products from its Birgunj branch. This strategic move has effectively eliminated the necessity for petroleum traders in Birgunj and its surrounding areas to journey to Amlekhgunj for diesel purchases. This transition has subsequently led to a reduction in consumer prices.
The resurgence of services was inaugurated by Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Minister Ramesh Rijal during a ceremonious event on Saturday. Minister Rijal conveyed his satisfaction at the resumption of these services, emphasizing the convenience it brings to the petroleum product vendors in and around Birgunj. The service, which had been halted at the Birgunj branch for the past two years, has now been reinstated.
Presently, authorized dealers have the privilege to procure diesel and kerosene through the corporation’s billing service at the Birgunj branch. Previously, petroleum traders in the Parsa-Bara region were constrained to bill their purchases from NOC’s Amlekhgunj depot in Bara.
Binod Chaurasia, president of the Birgunj Petroleum Dealers Association, revealed that the traders in this region had been facing challenges since the implementation of the billing system in Amlekhganj in January 2021. Chaurasia said that the reintroduction of billing services at the Birgunj branch would lead to a reduction of 75 paisa in the prices of diesel and petrol in Parsa and Bara.
Janardan Singh Chhetri, Parsa district president of the Nepali Congress and member of Madhesh Province Assembly, welcomed the decision of the NOC to resume billing services from the Birgunj branch. He lauded this move, highlighting its prompt and beneficial impact on the traders.
The program witnessed the presence of various dignitaries including joint secretary of the Ministry of Supplies Radhika Aryal, managing director of NOC, Umesh Thani, Deputy Managing Directors Birendra Goit and Nagendra Sah, Amlekhganj Depot Chief Binitmani Upadhyay, Birgunj Branch Chief Manoj Sah, president of Petroleum Transporters Federation Manoj Das, Secretary General of Petroleum Dealers National Association Bishwa Aryal, among others.
