BHAIRAHAWA, MAY 19 -
On an average, 10,500 litres of petroleum products are stolen every day
on the route from Baitalpur of India to NOC’s Bhalwari Depot in Bhairahawa , a police investigation has shown.
The theft is carried out in collusion between the officials of NOC
(Nepal Oil Corporation) and tanker drivers and helpers, according to the
probe. The stolen petrol is then adulterated with kerosene and sold in
the market. The police came to such a conclusion after a three-week
investigation into the recent petroleum theft case, in which tanker
drivers and helpers were caught red-handed while stealing petroleum
products. The tankers were headed towards Bhalwari Depot, Bhairahawa
, from Baitalpur, India. Currently, the petrol price is at Rs 133 per
litre, while diesel costs Rs 104 per litre. The fuel is stolen by
punching in the plate on the base of the tanker which decreases the size
of the tanker, according to SP Bikram Singh Thapa. However, to show the
same quantity, a rod is then inserted from the same spot of the tanker.
“There is a clear collusion between NOC staff and tanker drivers,” said
Thapa, at a press meet on Sunday.
The police investigation also revealed the imported petroleum products
are adulterated with kerosene on their way to NOC depots. SP
Thapa said around 35 tankers supply petroleum products to NOCs Bhalwari
depot. Six-wheel tankers have four chambers, while four-wheel variants
have five chambers. On an average, around 300 litre petroleum is stolen
from a tanker.
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