The import of petroleum products from Bangladesh has decreased by 25%.

The Nepalese construction sector has been slowing down, leading to a significant decrease in petroleum imports through the Birgunj customs checkpoint. The import of diesel and petrol from Birgunj has decreased by 25%, with 1,35,518 kiloliters of high-speed diesel worth Rs 12.66 million imported during the three months of the current fiscal year.

The Chief Administrator of the Customs Office, Deepak Lamichhane, reported a 25.33% decrease in high-speed diesel imports and a 27.43% decrease in revenue collection. The Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum Pipeline Project, which imports petrol through tankers, has also led to decreased consumption due to less infrastructure and development construction activities.

The Federation of Nepal Construction Businessmen’s general secretary, Rohan Dahal, blamed the slowdown on rain and government inability to pay for completed projects. Oil imports have also fallen, with 74,712 kilolitres of petrol worth Rs 6,846.83 billion imported in the current fiscal year.