Police impounded two passenger buses carrying petroleum products that were being brought to Kathmandu for black marketing here in Chandranigahapur, Rautahat on Thursday.  The busses were carrying more drums and jerry-cans containing fuel than passengers, police said.

A passenger bus (Na 4 Kha 8119) belonging to Agni Travel and another bus  (Na 3 Kha 7526) en route to Kathmandu from Kakkadvitta were found carrying the petroleum products. They have been held up by Area Police Chandranigahapur.

DSP Manoj Kumar Yadav informed that they have arrested the drivers and initiated investigation into the matter. DSP Yadav informed that the buses were smuggling over 3,000 litres of petrol and diesel that were kept under the seat and on the roof.

Fuel smugglers had paid Rs 109,000 to a single bus as bus fare for hauling the petroleum products.

The illegally imported petroleum products from the East are sold in the Capital at prices ranging from Rs 250- Rs 300 in the Capital. 

Fuel black market is thriving in the Capital as the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation has stopped distributing oil and the distressed general public are force to buy fuel from illegal traders in the wake of critical fuel shortage following border blockade by India.