SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 22 -
Production of pulses is expected to increase this year by 3 percent to 262,000 tons. After two straight years of decline, the production has shown some improvement since last year.
Output had reached an all-time high in 2006-07 with 274,375 tons of pulses including lentil, pigeon pea, black gram, soybean and other varieties being produced. Though there was only marginal decline in the production area, the output shrunk by 1.67 percent and 5.33 percent in 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively, according to statistics of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
However, the overall yield has declined in the last four years. From 859 kg per hectare in 2006-07, it has declined to 821 kg per hectare in the last fiscal year. Agro entrepreneurs and analysts said Nepal was gradually losing out on pulse production as there had been no growth in cultivable area and productivity. Despite the growth in 2009-10, pulse production in Nepal witnessed a negative growth rate of 3.25 percent over the last five years.
Pulses (particularly lentils) are one of the high-value crops of the country that government is looking to substitute imports. According to exporters, Nepali pulses are in high demand in Bangladesh and Bhutan.
In fact, Bangladesh and Bhutan are the highest importers of Nepali pulses.
The fall in production and the government’s export ban last year for six months has resulted in a decline in the net export of pulses to India. Pulse exports dropped by 92.8 percent in 2009-10. The export of pulses to India amounted to Rs. 381.6 million in 2008-09, which nosedived to Rs. 27.6 million in 2009-10. Exports were worth Rs. 314.8 million in 2007-08, according to Nepal Rastra Bank statistics.
According to the central bank’s data, exports to third countries also declined by 36 percent to Rs. 3,952 million in 2009-10 from Rs. 6,247 million in 2008-09. Pulses exports to third countries had increased by 328 percent in 2008-09.
“Exports went down as the result of a government ban imposed last year in response to pressure that the country might face a food deficit after India stopped exports,” said Ajay Parajuli, executive secretary, Association of Nepalese Rice, Oil and Pulses Industry. However, after entrepreneurs assured the government that exports would not affect the country’s food supply, the government lifted the ban. Bangladesh is the major market for Nepali pulses, Parajuli said.
He said that production had been gradually declining for the last couple of years. “Farmers are attracted towards vegetables as they yield quick and handsome income as compared to pulses. Similarly, there are no incentives from the government to encourage pulses farming,” he said.
As pulses are not an important crop for human consumption in most of the major developed countries and some of the developing economies and are mainly used as animal feed, supplies to overseas markets are limited. Thus, if the production rate of the major pulse consuming countries declines, it becomes difficult for the global markets to fill up the gap.
Prakash Oli, deputy director of Agro Enterprise Centre at the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) conducts research on pulses (especially lentils) and has 10 improved varieties until 2008 under the seed multiplication programme.
However, inadequate dissemination and research extension of the products has compelled farmers to use old and traditional seeds, which is the main reason that pulses production growth remained stagnant.
“Lentils hold huge export prospects and the FNCCI has recently discussed with the visiting Chinese delegation for the import of improved seeds,” he said. The Chinese were positive and asked for a product list of the seeds that Nepal wants to implement, he added.
“Pulse production growth rate is sluggish pace,” admitted Hari Dahal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Area, production and yield of pulse crops in Nepal
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
Area 319,557 320,431 313,269 319,486
Production 274,375 269,776 255,384 262,000
Yield 859 842 815 821
(Area in hectares, production in tons and yield in kg per hectare) Source: MoAC
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Nepal-China flights to be increased
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 17 -
China Southern and Tibetan Airlines will be flying to Nepal if things go as planned.
Officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) returning from the fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee held in Lhasa said that the Nepal government would encourage these two airlines to link Nepal.
“China is positive about increasing the frequency of flights between Nepal and China,” said MoTCA spokesman Laxman Prasad Bhattarai who led the Nepali delegation in Lhasa.
Currently, China Airlines and China Eastern operate flights to Nepal. The country has targeted attracting 100,000 Chinese tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
“An increase in the number of carriers serving Nepal will make the airfares more competitive,” Bhattarai added.
Another major achievement of the meeting is the Chinese side agreeing to allow Nepali helicopter services to make rescue flights in the Manasarovar region of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
As part of the mutual tourism development strategy, the Tibet Tourism Bureau gave the green signal to the request made by the Nepali delegation. However, it will take some time to get the final approval from the Chinese government.
The bureau will also consider the process to allow chartered helicopter services by Nepali tour operators and travel agencies.
Currently, a lengthy procedure is involved before Nepal can operate rescue flights in Tibet with the application needing to be forwarded to Beijing by the Tibet Tourism Centre.
Likewise, the Tibet Tourism Bureau has also agreed to provide visas to international visitors from Nepal.
“The country’s aim is to increase the number of tourists, so we will monitor and scrutinize all documents and process them properly before issuing visas to ensure that no unlawful activities take place,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the MoTCA.
KATHMANDU, SEP 17 -
China Southern and Tibetan Airlines will be flying to Nepal if things go as planned.
Officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) returning from the fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee held in Lhasa said that the Nepal government would encourage these two airlines to link Nepal.
“China is positive about increasing the frequency of flights between Nepal and China,” said MoTCA spokesman Laxman Prasad Bhattarai who led the Nepali delegation in Lhasa.
Currently, China Airlines and China Eastern operate flights to Nepal. The country has targeted attracting 100,000 Chinese tourists during Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
“An increase in the number of carriers serving Nepal will make the airfares more competitive,” Bhattarai added.
Another major achievement of the meeting is the Chinese side agreeing to allow Nepali helicopter services to make rescue flights in the Manasarovar region of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
As part of the mutual tourism development strategy, the Tibet Tourism Bureau gave the green signal to the request made by the Nepali delegation. However, it will take some time to get the final approval from the Chinese government.
The bureau will also consider the process to allow chartered helicopter services by Nepali tour operators and travel agencies.
Currently, a lengthy procedure is involved before Nepal can operate rescue flights in Tibet with the application needing to be forwarded to Beijing by the Tibet Tourism Centre.
Likewise, the Tibet Tourism Bureau has also agreed to provide visas to international visitors from Nepal.
“The country’s aim is to increase the number of tourists, so we will monitor and scrutinize all documents and process them properly before issuing visas to ensure that no unlawful activities take place,” said Kishore Thapa, secretary at the MoTCA.
The ticket rush
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 18 -
International airlines flying to Nepal have reported massive bookings for the next
two months as the tourism industry enters
the high season.
Major international carriers have received 85 percent bookings on flights into Nepal, said travel trade entrepreneurs. Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Etihad Airways have almost 100 percent bookings for October and November.
Ditto airlines from India. Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Spice Jet, Kingfisher and Indian Airlines have over 80 percent bookings from Sept. 29 to Nov. 20.
“Most of the airlines we deal with are overbooked,” said Siddhartha Thapa, operation director of President Travel. “This is the time when migrant workers also return to the country to celebrate Dashain, hence there is a huge demand for air tickets.”
Some of the international carriers don’t have tickets available for the next two months. “We have been informed that some of the carriers do not have tickets available for the next couple of months,” said Shyam Raj Thapaliya, managing director of Osho World Travels Nepal. International passengers coming from Bangkok, Doha, Oman and Abu Dhabi are facing a seat crunch during the October-November season.
Higher bookings for autumn make a huge difference to the airline sector as it is the main tourist season along with April and May. Around 30 percent of the total tourist arrivals occur during this time.
“Inbound bookings for the coming two months have increased significantly compared to the same period last year,” said Alasdair Boyd, manager of Dragonair in Nepal. According to Boyd, Dragonair has a majority of bookings from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the US. Poor air connectivity has been the major constraint of Nepali tourism with the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation in a sorry state. However, the arrival of more international airlines in Nepali skies has been a compensation. More than half a dozen international airlines have started their service to Nepal since 2009 with Oman Air being the latest entry. As of now, 27 international airlines are operating in Nepal. “The increment in flight movements has upped the overall inbound segment,” said Thapaliya.
The start of the new tourist season has also resulted in an increase in the frequency of flights to Nepal by international airlines. Hong Kong-based Dragonair has recently increased its Hong Kong-Kathmandu service to six flights per week from three flights. It is planning to operate seven days a week from November, subject to government approval.
Airlines with over 100 percent bookings
Thai Airways Booked from Sept. 25-Nov. 28
Qatar Airways Booked from Sept. 26-Dec. 17
Gulf Air Booked from Oct. 10-Dec. 9
Etihad Airways Booked from Oct. 8-Nov. 27
KATHMANDU, SEP 18 -
International airlines flying to Nepal have reported massive bookings for the next
two months as the tourism industry enters
the high season.
Major international carriers have received 85 percent bookings on flights into Nepal, said travel trade entrepreneurs. Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air and Etihad Airways have almost 100 percent bookings for October and November.
Ditto airlines from India. Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Spice Jet, Kingfisher and Indian Airlines have over 80 percent bookings from Sept. 29 to Nov. 20.
“Most of the airlines we deal with are overbooked,” said Siddhartha Thapa, operation director of President Travel. “This is the time when migrant workers also return to the country to celebrate Dashain, hence there is a huge demand for air tickets.”
Some of the international carriers don’t have tickets available for the next two months. “We have been informed that some of the carriers do not have tickets available for the next couple of months,” said Shyam Raj Thapaliya, managing director of Osho World Travels Nepal. International passengers coming from Bangkok, Doha, Oman and Abu Dhabi are facing a seat crunch during the October-November season.
Higher bookings for autumn make a huge difference to the airline sector as it is the main tourist season along with April and May. Around 30 percent of the total tourist arrivals occur during this time.
“Inbound bookings for the coming two months have increased significantly compared to the same period last year,” said Alasdair Boyd, manager of Dragonair in Nepal. According to Boyd, Dragonair has a majority of bookings from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the US. Poor air connectivity has been the major constraint of Nepali tourism with the national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation in a sorry state. However, the arrival of more international airlines in Nepali skies has been a compensation. More than half a dozen international airlines have started their service to Nepal since 2009 with Oman Air being the latest entry. As of now, 27 international airlines are operating in Nepal. “The increment in flight movements has upped the overall inbound segment,” said Thapaliya.
The start of the new tourist season has also resulted in an increase in the frequency of flights to Nepal by international airlines. Hong Kong-based Dragonair has recently increased its Hong Kong-Kathmandu service to six flights per week from three flights. It is planning to operate seven days a week from November, subject to government approval.
Airlines with over 100 percent bookings
Thai Airways Booked from Sept. 25-Nov. 28
Qatar Airways Booked from Sept. 26-Dec. 17
Gulf Air Booked from Oct. 10-Dec. 9
Etihad Airways Booked from Oct. 8-Nov. 27
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kathmandu-Lhasa bus to run again
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 16 -
Nepal and China are trying to revive the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service which shut down four years ago to give a fillip to the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The two sides have agreed in principle to resume the service through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the recently concluded fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee.
Laxman Bhattarai, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry, and Ba Zhu, director general of the Tourism Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, signed the MoU. The service started on May 1, 2005 and was stopped in 2006. The two sides had planned to resume the service in 2008 but nothing came of it due to permit hassles.
State-owned Sajha Yatayat operated the twice-weekly Kathmandu-Lhasa service. China’s refusal to give visas to individuals caused the bus service to come to a complete halt. Attempts were also made to resume the service during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Nepal and China have agreed to promote NTY 2011 in Tibet through TV, radio and hoarding boards at major crossroads in Tibet. The two sides have also agreed to allow Nepali operators to conduct regular helicopter and charter services to Manasarovar, Tibet and provide Tibet visas to international tourists from Nepal.
The Tibetan side has assured its Nepali counterpart that it would do its best to achieve the target of NTY 2011.
Similarly, the two governments have agreed to work closely through their respective diplomatic channels to get more Chinese airlines to fly the Lhasa-Kathmandu route, states a press statement issued by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The members of the Nepali delegation have extended an invitation to their Tibetan counterparts for the next round of the meeting to be held in Kathmandu in November next year.
KATHMANDU, SEP 16 -
Nepal and China are trying to revive the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service which shut down four years ago to give a fillip to the upcoming Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
The two sides have agreed in principle to resume the service through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the recently concluded fourth meeting of the Tibet-Nepal Joint Tourism Coordination Committee.
Laxman Bhattarai, joint secretary of the Tourism Ministry, and Ba Zhu, director general of the Tourism Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, signed the MoU. The service started on May 1, 2005 and was stopped in 2006. The two sides had planned to resume the service in 2008 but nothing came of it due to permit hassles.
State-owned Sajha Yatayat operated the twice-weekly Kathmandu-Lhasa service. China’s refusal to give visas to individuals caused the bus service to come to a complete halt. Attempts were also made to resume the service during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Nepal and China have agreed to promote NTY 2011 in Tibet through TV, radio and hoarding boards at major crossroads in Tibet. The two sides have also agreed to allow Nepali operators to conduct regular helicopter and charter services to Manasarovar, Tibet and provide Tibet visas to international tourists from Nepal.
The Tibetan side has assured its Nepali counterpart that it would do its best to achieve the target of NTY 2011.
Similarly, the two governments have agreed to work closely through their respective diplomatic channels to get more Chinese airlines to fly the Lhasa-Kathmandu route, states a press statement issued by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The members of the Nepali delegation have extended an invitation to their Tibetan counterparts for the next round of the meeting to be held in Kathmandu in November next year.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sold out flights
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
Planning to fly home this Dashain? Then hurry up and grab yourself a ticket. The festival rush has started with major domestic airlines reporting a flood of advance bookings.
Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Guna Airlines and Agni Air have said that seats on the major trunk routes are almost sold out. The rush is most evident on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar and Kathmandu-Bhadrapur sectors with flights from Oct. 8-19 (from Ghatasthapana to the end of the festival) almost all fully booked.
Daily seat demand for the eastern region has doubled from the normal 350-400 to 800 seats as it is customary for people to celebrate Dashain with their families.
“Airlines are receiving unprecedented reservations as competition has brought down airfares making air travel affordable,” said Prajol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines.
Carriers plan to double the frequency to the eastern region in response to the overwhelming demand. Rupesh Joshi, senior marketing manager of Buddha Air, said that there were no seats available on flights to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur. Buddha Air operates five flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We have added one flight on each sector to cater to the increased number of passengers,” Joshi said.
Pradip Shah, marketing manager of Yeti Airlines, said that they operate seven flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We are planning to increase the frequency by two-three flights on certain days as per demand,” he added. Agni Air, which currently flies four times to Biratnagar and twice to Bhadrapur daily, also plans to add three-four flights to handle the Dashain rush.
“We have sold almost 80 percent of the tickets to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa and Pokhara,” said Pramod Pandey, marketing director of Agni Air. The airline operates three flights to Bhairahawa and two flights to Pokhara daily.
Guna Airlines said that 95 percent of the seats for 10 days had been booked. “In response to the mounting demand for tickets to Biratnagar, we have decided to add three flights on the sector during Dashain,” marketing manager Thapa said.
Guna flies to Biratnagar twice daily. The airline also plans to start operations to Bhadrapur and Bharatpur in October. Airlines said that it was not viable to add flights to handle the festival rush as there are few passengers on the return trip. Nepal Airlines Corporation, the country’s grand old airline, has not opened bookings for any sector. “We open our Dashain booking only a week in advance,” said spokesperson Pradip Karki.
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
Planning to fly home this Dashain? Then hurry up and grab yourself a ticket. The festival rush has started with major domestic airlines reporting a flood of advance bookings.
Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Guna Airlines and Agni Air have said that seats on the major trunk routes are almost sold out. The rush is most evident on the Kathmandu-Biratnagar and Kathmandu-Bhadrapur sectors with flights from Oct. 8-19 (from Ghatasthapana to the end of the festival) almost all fully booked.
Daily seat demand for the eastern region has doubled from the normal 350-400 to 800 seats as it is customary for people to celebrate Dashain with their families.
“Airlines are receiving unprecedented reservations as competition has brought down airfares making air travel affordable,” said Prajol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines.
Carriers plan to double the frequency to the eastern region in response to the overwhelming demand. Rupesh Joshi, senior marketing manager of Buddha Air, said that there were no seats available on flights to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur. Buddha Air operates five flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We have added one flight on each sector to cater to the increased number of passengers,” Joshi said.
Pradip Shah, marketing manager of Yeti Airlines, said that they operate seven flights to Biratnagar and three to Bhadrapur daily. “We are planning to increase the frequency by two-three flights on certain days as per demand,” he added. Agni Air, which currently flies four times to Biratnagar and twice to Bhadrapur daily, also plans to add three-four flights to handle the Dashain rush.
“We have sold almost 80 percent of the tickets to Biratnagar, Bhadrapur, Bhairahawa and Pokhara,” said Pramod Pandey, marketing director of Agni Air. The airline operates three flights to Bhairahawa and two flights to Pokhara daily.
Guna Airlines said that 95 percent of the seats for 10 days had been booked. “In response to the mounting demand for tickets to Biratnagar, we have decided to add three flights on the sector during Dashain,” marketing manager Thapa said.
Guna flies to Biratnagar twice daily. The airline also plans to start operations to Bhadrapur and Bharatpur in October. Airlines said that it was not viable to add flights to handle the festival rush as there are few passengers on the return trip. Nepal Airlines Corporation, the country’s grand old airline, has not opened bookings for any sector. “We open our Dashain booking only a week in advance,” said spokesperson Pradip Karki.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thamel shuts door on underage tipplers
The TTDC has also sought to extend the closing time for nightlife during the run-up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
No one under 18 will be allowed to drink in a bar in Thamel under new regulations being planned by the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC).
Young people will be asked to produce ID as proof of age before being allowed entry into pubs or bars. Watering holes in the popular tourist hub will also be required to display a sign saying “Minors strictly prohibited from drinking” at the entrance.
The ban on under-age drinking is one of the moves TTDC has proposed in a bid to rejuvenate the business environment at Thamel that has been marred of late by bar fights and insecurity. The TTDC has also sought to extend the closing time for nightlife during the run-up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The police have intensified surveillance at Thamel following incidents of prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal activities. Local traders said that the number of quality tourists visiting the area had plunged due to security concerns and unhealthy practices. They added that their earnings had dropped by as much as 50 percent.
“The closing time set by the government for night time entertainment could affect business during NTY 2011,” said Tejendra Shrestha,
president of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal and past president of the TTDC. “Hence, we are making major reforms to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for revellers,”
he added. Another reform being planned by the TTDC is banning minors from performing in live entertainment shows at dance restaurants. “We are discussing this issue with the security authorities,” said Shrestha.
Controlling noise pollution is another improvement on the TTDC’s agenda. “We are discussing installing soundproofing systems in dance
bars and pubs which remain open
till the late hours,” said Shrestha.
The council is also mulling making Thamel a “horn free zone”.
With these improvements in place, the TTDC plans to extend the closing time for nightlife till 1 a.m. If things go well, the time limit may be extended further till 2 a.m.
Entrepreneurs have supported
the TTDC’s planned reforms. “Introducing the ID system at bars will be effective in controlling undesirable activities as it is mandatory all over the world,” said Ashok Pokhrel, owner of Rum Doodle Restaurant.
“The security personnel should also be more responsible while behaving with tourists,” Pokhrel added. “The government has set the closing time for bars and discotheques, but it does not mean that the police can come and create problems for tourists.” Rukma Kunwar, in-charge of the Metropolitan Police Sector, Sorhakhutte, said that they had had a discussion with entrepreneurs in this regard.
“The initiative will be effective in controlling criminal activities, however, implementation will be difficult.” He added that the police were positive to the TTDC’s proposals. There are more than 500 hotels, lodges and guesthouses and nearly 1,000 restaurants, bars, shops and agencies in Thamel.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 14 -
No one under 18 will be allowed to drink in a bar in Thamel under new regulations being planned by the Thamel Tourism Development Council (TTDC).
Young people will be asked to produce ID as proof of age before being allowed entry into pubs or bars. Watering holes in the popular tourist hub will also be required to display a sign saying “Minors strictly prohibited from drinking” at the entrance.
The ban on under-age drinking is one of the moves TTDC has proposed in a bid to rejuvenate the business environment at Thamel that has been marred of late by bar fights and insecurity. The TTDC has also sought to extend the closing time for nightlife during the run-up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011. The police have intensified surveillance at Thamel following incidents of prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal activities. Local traders said that the number of quality tourists visiting the area had plunged due to security concerns and unhealthy practices. They added that their earnings had dropped by as much as 50 percent.
“The closing time set by the government for night time entertainment could affect business during NTY 2011,” said Tejendra Shrestha,
president of the Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal and past president of the TTDC. “Hence, we are making major reforms to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for revellers,”
he added. Another reform being planned by the TTDC is banning minors from performing in live entertainment shows at dance restaurants. “We are discussing this issue with the security authorities,” said Shrestha.
Controlling noise pollution is another improvement on the TTDC’s agenda. “We are discussing installing soundproofing systems in dance
bars and pubs which remain open
till the late hours,” said Shrestha.
The council is also mulling making Thamel a “horn free zone”.
With these improvements in place, the TTDC plans to extend the closing time for nightlife till 1 a.m. If things go well, the time limit may be extended further till 2 a.m.
Entrepreneurs have supported
the TTDC’s planned reforms. “Introducing the ID system at bars will be effective in controlling undesirable activities as it is mandatory all over the world,” said Ashok Pokhrel, owner of Rum Doodle Restaurant.
“The security personnel should also be more responsible while behaving with tourists,” Pokhrel added. “The government has set the closing time for bars and discotheques, but it does not mean that the police can come and create problems for tourists.” Rukma Kunwar, in-charge of the Metropolitan Police Sector, Sorhakhutte, said that they had had a discussion with entrepreneurs in this regard.
“The initiative will be effective in controlling criminal activities, however, implementation will be difficult.” He added that the police were positive to the TTDC’s proposals. There are more than 500 hotels, lodges and guesthouses and nearly 1,000 restaurants, bars, shops and agencies in Thamel.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
NOC plans Euro III standard fuel from Oct 1
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, SEP 11 -
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is distributing high-octane petrol of Euro III standard across the country from Oct. 1. The fuel is considered environment friendly as compared to the existing fuels of Euro II standard.
The Corporation said the product would give vehicles better mileage, increase engine efficiency and it contains substantially lower emissions of particulate matter. The NOC has been distributing the Euro III product in some select gasoline stations.
“We will be distributing the Euro III to all stations from Oct. 1,” said Digambar Jha, general manager of NOC. The Euro III petrol contains 91 percent octane, which is believed to relieve vehicle owners of regular engine problems they are having to facing with. Due to high octane, the fuel also gives better mileage. Existing Euro II products have only 2.87 percent octane.
The new product being highly explosive as compared to Euro II, the NOC is also improving the standard of the tankers that would carry them. Tankers are being taken to Raxual for repair and maintenence, Jha said. With the improved standard of oil, the price
of Euro III petroleum products will be around Rs 1 more a litre.
As the NOC is on the move to supply high standard petroleum products, it has curtailed the petroleum supply to clean up the storage tanks in Raxual and Birgunj. This has resulted in the shortage of petroleum products in the Kathmandu Valley for some days, said NOC officials. Raxual has three vertical fuel tanks that the NOC is cleaning up to replace the existing Euro II petroleum products with the new product. Raxual and Barauni are major petroleum storage centres of the country.
“Petroleum supply in the valley was also curtailed due to excess sulfur found in the imported raw diesel than the limit fixed for the Euro III standard,” said Jha.
The Euro III diesel contains 0.15-PPM sulfur while the Euro II contains 0.5 PPM, according to petroleum experts.
KATHMANDU, SEP 11 -
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is distributing high-octane petrol of Euro III standard across the country from Oct. 1. The fuel is considered environment friendly as compared to the existing fuels of Euro II standard.
The Corporation said the product would give vehicles better mileage, increase engine efficiency and it contains substantially lower emissions of particulate matter. The NOC has been distributing the Euro III product in some select gasoline stations.
“We will be distributing the Euro III to all stations from Oct. 1,” said Digambar Jha, general manager of NOC. The Euro III petrol contains 91 percent octane, which is believed to relieve vehicle owners of regular engine problems they are having to facing with. Due to high octane, the fuel also gives better mileage. Existing Euro II products have only 2.87 percent octane.
The new product being highly explosive as compared to Euro II, the NOC is also improving the standard of the tankers that would carry them. Tankers are being taken to Raxual for repair and maintenence, Jha said. With the improved standard of oil, the price
of Euro III petroleum products will be around Rs 1 more a litre.
As the NOC is on the move to supply high standard petroleum products, it has curtailed the petroleum supply to clean up the storage tanks in Raxual and Birgunj. This has resulted in the shortage of petroleum products in the Kathmandu Valley for some days, said NOC officials. Raxual has three vertical fuel tanks that the NOC is cleaning up to replace the existing Euro II petroleum products with the new product. Raxual and Barauni are major petroleum storage centres of the country.
“Petroleum supply in the valley was also curtailed due to excess sulfur found in the imported raw diesel than the limit fixed for the Euro III standard,” said Jha.
The Euro III diesel contains 0.15-PPM sulfur while the Euro II contains 0.5 PPM, according to petroleum experts.
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