It has been about two weeks since the fuel station at Panbang’s Tungkutenpa in Zhemgang stopped dispensing diesel to motorists. And it is for the same reason – a malfunctioning pump. The fuel station came as a solution to the longstanding problem in the region in 2018. However, the frequent breakdown of the depot’s fuel dispenser has been a recurrent problem.
Motorists in Panbang and passersby alleged that the fuel depot at Tungkutenpa frequently runs into the same problem when they need fuel. This time, the problem is with the diesel dispensing pump.
“Quite often, the problem prolongs for a week or three and the service is not reliable. In the absence of fuel, we bring it from Nganglam,” said Kinzang Dorji, a driver from Nganglam.
“Besides the four gewogs of Panbang, people from 20 districts travel via Panbang where most motorists fuel their cars from here as it is an entryway to other places. The frequent breakdown of the fuel pump here is creating inconvenience. We need to address this issue,” said Rinchen Wangdi, a resident of Panbang.
“Regarding the fuel supply, we have a big difficulty here. Most often the fuel is not available and when the fuel is in stock, the pump doesn’t work for weeks and months,” said Krishna Pradhan, a contractor in Panbang.
Damchen Petroleum Cooperation Limited (DPCL) officials at the depot said the problem will be resolved soon. Due to the lack of technical experts in the country, they have hired an expert from the Indian Oil Company who has yet to arrive.
Moreover, an official from the Regional Office of Industry Commerce and Employment in Gelephu said the office will soon replace the old fuel dispensing pump with the new 16 multi-dispensing auto pumps. It has already reached Gelephu.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam Pem
#Update: The pump was restored on 3rd February.
