Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is all set to implement the locking system in tankers transporting fuel from NOC depots to the petroleum dealers. The locking system is expected to prevent fuel theft and adulteration during transport till the fuel is supplied to the refueling stations.

NOC Executive Director Sushil Bhattarai said the measure is part of their reform of the enterprises’ internal distribution system. “The system will be implemented in all petroleum distribution routes,” said Bhattarai inaugurating the locking system at NOC depot in Bhalwari, Rupandehi.

NOC launched the first locking system in petroleum tankers three months ago. While transporting the fuel via the domestic route, the enterprise will be installing the specially designed locks. The enterprise will be providing the locks to the tankers. Bhattarai said the system would also reduce the possibility of fuel loss before being supplied to the refueling stations. According to him, NOC will soon open tender call for the purchasing the locks.

NOC since Tuesday has launched the locking system via its Bhalwari depot. From Thursday, the enterprise will be installing the locking system in the tankers transporting fuel to its Nepalgunj depot.

NOC Spokesperson Birendra Kumar Goit said NOC from next week will be installing the system in tankers transporting fuel through Raxaul and Baireni depots of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). “We will then install the system for tankers transporting fuel to Dhangadhi depot,” said Goit claiming that the system will help safeguard the consumers’ interest.

In the new system, the tankers loaded with fuel at IOC depots in India are fixed with the locking system. When the fuel is supplied to the petroleum dealers, the NOC officials will reconfirm the quantity of fuel before offloading at the refueling stations. Only the officials of NOC and IOC will hold the keys used to unlock the system.

IOC since 2002 has been implementing the system for their entire tanker used to transport fuel in IOC depots across India. At the first phase, IOC is providing the locks to NOC free of cost. These special type of locks cannot be opened by duplicate keys.

As per NOC statistics, Nepal imports 40,000 kilolitres of petrol and 140,000 kilolitres of diesel per month. Likewise, the monthly demand of kerosene and aviation fuels stand at 2,000 kl and 20,000 kl respectively.