The Supplies Ministry has given the green signal to the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to operate their own tank trucks so that they can ensure regular supplies at their gasoline stations.

The army and the police have informed the ministry that they plan to buy 10 tankers each, and that they will be starting the procurement process soon. The Armed Police Force has decided to acquire six tankers. 

“The security forces have informed us that they have allocated a budget to buy the tankers and started the procurement process,” ministry spokesperson Surya Prasad Shrestha said. 

“The move is aimed at ensuring regular fuel supplies in the event private oil transporters should stop deliveries under various pretexts,” he added. 

More than 1,200 oil tankers ply the highways transporting gasoline from India. The Armed Police Force owns two tankers and National Trading Limited owns one. The rest belong to private companies. 

Fuel supplies in the country are frequently disrupted as private tanker owners stop services to press their demand for a hike in freight charges or particular facilities from Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC). 

Meanwhile, the security forces have announced plans to establish additional gasoline stations in various parts of the country. Many of the proposed pumps will be equipped with advanced facilities. They will have a parking yard for at least 20 vehicles, rest rooms and shopping outlets. 

The security forces and state-owned Sajha and Salt Trading Corporation have received permits from the government to erect 15 refueling stations in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Nepal Army is likely to set up five pumps at Sitapaila, Maharajgunj, Chobhar, Narayanhiti Museum premises and Sallaghari or the Kharipati Training Centre. 

Shrestha said the army would be renting space at Himal Cement, Chobhar and Sallaghari, Bhaktapur while it has its own land at the other locations.

Likewise, the Nepal Police has proposed to establish two pumps, one at Jadibuti and the other at Balkhu or Kalanki. Outside the valley, they plan to open gasoline stations at Baidam, Pokhara; Police Academy, Chitwan and Kawasoti, Nawalparasi. 

Shrestha said the Nepal Police would be renting three bighas of land on the East-West Highway at Kawasoti. “The refueling centre there will also have rooms where drivers of long route vehicles can take a short nap. This is expected to prevent road accidents as they will be able to rest and refresh themselves,” he said. 

Similarly, the Armed Police Force has shown interest to operate petrol pumps in Aapghari, Chitwan and Pathlaiya, Bara. “They propose to lease land owned by National Trading to set up their pumps in the Valley,” Shrestha said.  

According to the Nepal Petroleum Dealers Association, there are 1,200 petrol pumps across the country. Among them, 117 are located in the Kathmandu Valley.

There are eight petrol pumps operated by the security forces and government entities. Apart from the Valley, they run fuel stations in Chitwan, Pathlaiya, Pokhara and Dang.