Last Updated on October 17, 2026 by alizni
As the grand festival of Dashain approaches, millions of travelers across Nepal prepare to journey back to their ancestral homes. This annual migration creates an unprecedented surge in highway traffic, with thousands of long-distance buses, private cars, and motorcycles hitting the roads. To prevent fuel shortages and keep vehicles moving seamlessly during the prolonged holiday season, the state-owned fuel enterprise, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), has officially announced that petroleum distribution points and petrol pumps will remain functional throughout the Dashain vacation period.
This crucial decision provides significant relief to holiday commuters and commercial vehicle operators who often face uncertainties regarding essential services during major public holidays. By maintaining an organized shift system across various depots and retail outlets, the corporation aims to ensure that no vehicle is stranded due to a lack of gasoline or diesel.
Key Details of NOC’s Holiday Operational Plan
To balance the necessity of continuous fuel distribution with festival celebrations for petroleum workers, Nepal Oil Corporation has structured a rotational duty schedule. Under this arrangement, petrol pumps across the Kathmandu Valley and major provincial hubs will operate on a shift basis, ensuring adequate coverage in all strategic locations.
According to the official notification from NOC, fuel depots across the nation will remain operational on almost all public holiday dates during Dashain. However, full closures will be observed on specific primary festival days, namely the main day of Dashain (Vijaya Dashami / Tika) and the following day (Ekadashi). Outside of these specific religious observances, primary depots will resume scheduled loading and unloading activities to keep local retail outlets sufficiently supplied.
Operational Readiness in Kathmandu Valley and Regional Hubs
The Kathmandu Valley serves as the primary epicenter of Dashain outbound traffic, making local fuel availability a top priority for transportation authorities. NOC’s main fuel storage facility in the capital, located at Thankot, has arranged a specialized dispatch schedule to meet the high demand leading up to and immediately following the festival days.
Similarly, regional distribution centers located in key trading and transit points—such as Biratnagar, Amlekhgunj, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi—have been instructed to manage local inventory carefully. Emergency stock reserves have been topped off at major depots to absorb sudden demand spikes along critical highway routes like the Prithvi Highway, East-West Highway, and BP Highway.
What Travelers and Commuters Need to Know
While the continuity of the fuel supply is a welcome assurance, motorists and transport companies are advised to plan their journeys prudently. Here are essential tips for travelers during the Dashain holiday peak:
- Top Up Early: Do not wait until your fuel tank is completely empty, especially when traveling through rural or winding hill roads where spacing between open pumps may be wider than usual.
- Identify Rotational Outlets: Since not every single privately owned pump will remain open around the clock on official holidays, motorists should identify key corporate-operated and high-capacity outlets along major transit arterial roads.
- Monitor Vehicle Condition: High traffic volumes combined with heavy loads can increase fuel consumption. Ensuring proper tire pressure and engine health before setting out will improve fuel efficiency during prolonged highway jams.
- Carry Cash and Digital Payment Options: While most urban fuel stations accept electronic payments, network congestion in rural areas during peak holiday times can occasionally disrupt card or mobile wallet transactions.
Supporting National Mobility During Peak Festivities
Dashain represents the busiest transport season of the year in Nepal, driving local commerce and connecting families across mountainous terrains. Uninterrupted transportation logistics are essential to sustaining public mobility, emergency response services, and the distribution of consumer goods during this period.
Nepal Oil Corporation’s proactive operational strategy demonstrates a commitment to public convenience. By keeping essential fuel lines open, the corporation helps ensure that public buses, emergency vehicles, and private road trippers can complete their festive journeys smoothly, safely, and without the anxiety of unexpected fuel scarcity.