September 27: Hundreds of trucks headed for Nepal have been stuck near the main trading points along the Indo-Nepal border as an ‘unofficial’ trade embargo imposed by India enters its fourth day.

The embargo has led to a shortage of petroleum products in almost all the parts of the country as Indian officials have not allowed trucks and tankers to enter Nepal through Biratnagar, Kakarbhitta, Nepalgunj, Birgunj and Sunauli. In Jogbani, the Indian town bordering Biratnagar, around 1,500 trucks are in a queue stretching up to Farbisgunj.

Right after the promulgation of the constitution in Nepal, the southern neighbour has been expressing discontent over the major political parties’ failure to address the demands of the Madhesi parties. Indian officials deny that an embargo is in place, they maintain that they are worried about the safety of freight operators. During the last five days, only 314 trucks have entered Nepal carrying fuel and consumables.