It is almost eight in the evening, but a serpentine line of taxis waiting for their turn at the fuel station moved barely a few inches after a long and tiresome interval.

 

Milan Tamang, 42, put down the cup of tea in his hand and rushed to push his vehicle, parked outside the Patan Multiple Campus in Pulchowk, a few inches forward on Sunday. In the last three days, his taxi has shambled barely a few meters forward.

 

The line of taxis stretches bumper-to-bumper along Krishna Galli until the queue of vehicles bend at the turn that leads to Sajha Petrol Station in Pulchowk. A father of two young daughters, Tamang is less optimistic about getting the fuel, still but he pushes on.

 

Tamang, who has been in the driving profession for over 20 years, is the only earning member in his family.

 

He blamed the government for the trouble he has had to face in lack of fuel.

 

"Why can't our government reach an agreement with India to ease the supply of feel? They have simply forgotten that we and our families survive on income that is dependent on petrol," complained Tamang.

 

Rudra Thapa Magar, another taxi driver, watched the line of taxis warily. Originally from Nuwakot, Magar, 35, is also a father of two children. His wife teaches primary students at a local school in Patan.

 

"This is my fourth day here. All I am doing is pushing my taxi forward few inches at a time in the hopes of getting petrol. But this is proving to be a long wait. Sometimes I think it is better to return to my village and engage in agriculture rather than put up with such a harsh situation here," said Magar.

 

On normal days, Magar used to make at least Rs 3,000 per day. After deducting fuel expenses and giving away the taxi owner his share, he saved around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.

 

But for the last four days, he has not been able to earn any money in lack of fuel. "If the government fails to resolve this situation any time soon, our families will go hungry," lamented Magar.

 

It has been estimated that there are over 5,500 taxis operating in the valley. In 2000, the number was around 7,500.

 

Other taxi drivers fare no better. After a lengthy wait that sometimes extends for days, all they receive is 10 liters of fuel, which barely lasts 3 to 4 days.

 

Distribution of fuel across the country has been halted since over a week following the blockade imposed by India at the border. However, the taxi drivers are hopeful that the Indian government would soon lift the blockade.

 

"Let's hope the government manages to settle this dispute peacefully and the scarcity of fuel will ease before things get worse," said Kabir Budathoki, another taxi driver.