Kathmandu Consumers Can Now Get Gas With Any Brand’s Empty Cylinder During Dashain

To ensure easy access to LPG gas during the festive season, gas industries are preparing to allow consumers in the Kathmandu Valley to exchange empty cylinders regardless of their brand. The initiative is being coordinated by the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), gas industries, dealers and security agencies, particularly to support consumers who have only one cylinder at home. According to NOC Executive Director Nagendra Shah, the corporation itself requested gas industries to introduce the arrangement so that consumers do not face shortages simply because the available cylinder belongs to a different company. Consumers will not have to pay any additional charge for the exchange, addressing previous complaints that dealers charged up to Rs 300 for exchanging cylinders of different brands. Former president of the Nepal LPG Gas Industry Association and gas entrepreneur Shiv Prasad Ghimire said joint sales counters are being planned at around 15 to 20 major locations across the Kathmandu Valley. Discussions are underway to operate such counters in areas including Nepal Army Headquarters, Chhauni and Sitapaila, with collected cylinders of different brands to be managed internally by the gas industries later. The facility will be available only to genuine consumers, not dealers or businesses. Consumers may be required to provide identification details and a mobile number to receive gas, allowing authorities to monitor the distribution and prevent misuse. NOC has said the final locations will be decided soon, with an official notice expected within a day or two. The corporation has also suggested that allowing consumers to exchange cylinders directly through dealers would make the service even more convenient. Gas consumption in the Kathmandu Valley is expected to decline by around 40% during Dashain as millions of people leave the Valley. However, the initiative is expected to provide relief to those who remain in Kathmandu and have only one cylinder, as they will not need to visit multiple shops simply because their empty cylinder belongs to a different brand.