Kathmandu, Aug. 11 -- Nepal's imports of liquefied petroleum gas have not fallen. Government officials and industry representatives say imports have actually increased in recent weeks.

Yet cooking gas remains difficult to find in the market, with consumers queuing for hours with empty cylinders.

For about four months, Nepal sold only half-filled cylinders to ease pressure on supplies after tensions in West Asia raised concerns about possible disruptions. That reduced apparent demand.

But when full 14.2-kilogram cylinders went back on sale, pent-up demand returned almost overnight. Shortages quickly reappeared.

So where is the gas getting stuck?

The problem is not simply a lack of imports. It lies deeper in Nepal's supply chain, inclu...