The unreliable supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders at the Tingtibi fuel depot in Zhemgang is taking a toll on the lives of the people in Tingtibi and nearby villages. The shortage has hit hard the hoteliers and residents alike. LPG agents claim that transporters are not willing to bring in LPG from the Gelephu depot because of the low transportation charges.
The small town of Tingtibi has not seen the truck transporting LPG cylinders in more than a month. Many families and businesses are now running out of the last stock. They said the fuel depot management should maintain uninterrupted supply because people from far-flung villages visit the depot to refill the gas.
“Everyone out here uses gas to cook but due to the interruption of gas supply this time, we are struggling, it used to be convenient with the constant supply of gas in the past,” said Sonam Tshering, in Tingtibi.
“From Degala to Pantang, we don’t get Tashi LPG gas. So, we came here to refill,” added Sonam, from Degala in Bardo Gewog.
The fuel depot officials from the Druk Petroleum Cooperation Ltd in Tingtibi said due to the issue of transportation rates, the transporters were reluctant to transport the LGP cylinders like before. They said the transportation rate set by the government is not enough to meet the transporters’ expenses considering the fuel price.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that a truck carrying 372 LGP cylinders reached the fuel depot on Saturday. According to officials of the DPL, this was done despite the transportation issues to address the LPG shortage in Tingtibi. However, given the number of subscribers of about 500 clients with the depot, it remains to see how this will solve the shortage.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam
