After a three-day halt, fuel tankers are finally crossing into Nepal via Siliguri. The disruption was caused by intense protests across Nepal, which had brought traffic to a standstill and led to a severe fuel crisis.

The Nepal Oil Crisis

A youth-led protest demanding a change in government has plunged Nepal into chaos. The country, heavily reliant on India for its fuel supply, has been experiencing a severe shortage. Clashes have broken out, with reports of gunfire and fires, and roads have been blocked, halting the movement of essential supplies.

Nepal’s Dependence on India

The Nepal Oil Corporation, established in 1970, has always depended on India for its fuel needs. Every day, tankers cross the Indo-Nepal border from three key states in India: Raxaul in Bihar, Gonda in Uttar Pradesh, and Siliguri in West Bengal.

Prior to the protests, Siliguri alone was sending between 30 and 40 tankers of fuel to Kathmandu daily, with a similar amount coming from the other two states.

The Protest’s Impact

When the protests intensified, the movement of these tankers came to a complete stop. The road blockades, combined with the collapse of the government and the ensuing chaos, created a critical fuel shortage. Gas stations across Nepal ran dry, leaving the country in a state of crisis.

The Road Reopens

Three days later, the situation is slowly returning to normal. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has increased its presence and surveillance along the Indo-Nepal border. As normalcy returns, traffic has resumed, and efforts are underway to address the fuel deficit.

By midday, 15 tankers had been dispatched to Nepal under the supervision of the SSB. A customs official noted that areas like Jhapa in Nepal heavily rely on the Siliguri corridor for fuel, with about 30 tankers normally crossing each day. While permission has been granted for fuel tankers to pass, private vehicles and passenger buses are still not allowed to cross the border.

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