People in Morang district are facing hardships caused by the shortage of fuel and cooking gas due to the Indian blockade and the protest of Madhes-centric parties.

Few public vehicles are plying the streets because of the fuel shortage, and they are charging high fare from passengers. Poonam Gupta, a resident of Rani, Biratnagar, said she has been compelled to pay Rs 50 to reach Bata Road though she used to pay only Rs 15 for the same distance in the past. “There are limited number of buses and rickshaws on the streets, and they charge money according to their will,” she said. Janaki Devi Shah of Rangeli said she had to keep her children in school hostel after they started missing their classes due to the lack of public transports.

“My children were having trouble reaching school in Biratnagar, so I admitted them to hostel,” Janaki said.

Shortage of cooking gas and rise in prices of essentials have also affected many families in Morang.

Maya Magar of Hatkhola said she will be unable to feed her family if the blockade and protest is to continue. “Prices of cooking oil, sugar, pulses, rice, and spice have soared to the point that many families could barely afford to eat twice a day,” she said.