Soaring fuel prices trigger petrol smuggling in Sitamarhi

Arun Lata Sharma

Sitamarhi:  In Sitamarhi district in North Bihar, petroleum products are being sold at petrol pumps Rs 15-20 costlier than in Nepal due to soaring fuel prices. The Nepal Oil Corporation has placed huge supply orders to its Indian counterpart as demand for petrol-diesel has jumped in the bordering Nepal districts.  People are rushing to Nepal for religious as well as tank filling trips.

Smugglers, as bordering villagers say, prefer fuel smuggling than liquor. Their trade is thriving thanks to continuous rise in fuel prices. The petrol pump owners in Sitamarhi district say their sale is falling with each passing day due to lower price of petrol and diesel in Nepal and porous border stretching approximately 125 km between Bhitha Mor and Bairgania in the district.