The Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) on Friday shut two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottling plants—Surya Gas and Chandeshwori Gas—operating in Kavrepalanchok district after finding them flouting the safety regulations.

NBSM Director General Bishwo Babu Pudasaini said they took the step after the gas bottlers were found turning a deaf ear to NBSM directive to obtain Nepal Standard (NS) certification. NBSM in November 2016 enforced LPG Bottling Plant Operation Standards and asked the gas industries to get NS marks within three months. “However, Surya Gas and Chandeshwori Gas have not even started the process to receive the certification until now,” Pudasaini said.

Similarly, the regulatory body has asked Sagarmatha Gas, the bottler of cooking gas under the brand name Sagar Gas, to maintain the necessary safety norms and appear before NBSM within three days.

According to Pudasaini, the company has already started the process, but yet to accomplish the safety standard as prescribed by the regulations.

There are 55 gas bottling plants operating across the country. As of now, only four including Manoj Gas, Shreekrishna Gas, Nepal Gas and Saibaba Gas have received NS marks. NBSM said it would continue inspection in the other the gas bottling plants.

The bureau’s move comes in the wake of growing calls for stricter supervision of gas plants after a fire at Sukhasaina-based Super Gas Factory in Parsa claimed two lives two weeks back.