Gas Supply Disrupted in Kathmandu Following Road Collapse Near Krishnabir

After a nearly 100-meter section of the road near Krishnabir on the Prithvi Highway completely collapsed, Kathmandu is facing difficulties in the supply of cooking gas. Arjun Aryal, Deputy Director General of the Department of Roads, stated, “Currently, it is not possible to support and elevate the road from below,” adding that it is impossible to predict when the situation will improve.

“However, since this is a major highway, the Department of Roads, based on technical advice, is attempting to operate at least a single lane,” he said. Aryal noted that this effort could take “at least 10 to 15 days.” While alternative routes such as Kantipath and Tribhuvan Rajpath are being used to connect the capital with the Terai region, these routes are narrow and prone to landslides, which has prevented gas cylinders from being transported smoothly.

Manoj Kumar Thakur, spokesperson for Nepal Oil Corporation, stated that gas industries have been instructed to collect cylinders, transport them to facilities in the Terai for refilling, and then bring the cylinders back for distribution. He said, “There will be some supply imbalance causing temporary issues, but the collection and dispatch of cylinders will commence from today.” Out of the 22 authorized industries supplying gas to the Kathmandu Valley, 18 are located in Dhading, Kathmandu, and Kavrepalanchok, areas beyond Krishnabir.

“Trucks loaded with gas are currently stuck on the route and unable to reach Kathmandu,” Thakur explained. Because trucks cannot use alternate routes either, the corporation has directed the industries in Kathmandu to take empty cylinders to the Terai plants for filling and subsequent delivery. However, he confirmed, “Alternative routes are being effectively utilized for petrol, diesel, furnace oil, and aviation fuel, and there are no issues with those supplies.”