Lhamoi Dzingkha Dungkhag in Dagana, which is a bustling area, has been facing a fuel shortage since the pandemic. However, the shortage has become quite acute in the last few months. A few days ago, on New Year’s Eve, residents visiting the Dungkhag’s only fuel depot had to return with no or little fuel.
Lhamoi Dzingkha is a busy settlement with several economic activities such as the export of boulders, aggregates, mines and minerals taking place. However, the only fuel depot in the area is struggling to meet the residents’ demand for fuel.
Suk Maya Gurung, a hotelier in Lhamoi Dzingkha said, “We don’t get LPG at times and we run out of fuel in our vehicles. We sometimes face emergencies or fall sick and have to travel but fuel is not available. Sometimes, they say the fuel has been reserved for some people or emergencies like ambulances and they usually don’t give it to us.”
People say the shortage is even more prevalent during monsoons when the area remains cut off from India due to swelling river. That is why people mostly carry out export businesses during winter. However, the shortage of fuel is affecting their business.
Some of them travel to nearby fuel depots to refuel their vehicles.
“Due to the shortage of fuel, I am on my way to Dagapela. I have to go there to get fuel at night and come back because three vehicles are lying idle without fuel,” said Ashok Mukhia, a truck driver in Lamoi Dzingkha.
Likewise, the shortage of fuel is also affecting the driving institute in the area.
“Regarding the fuel crisis out here, the issue is very serious because it is affecting the company and also affecting the trainees because, at the moment, we cannot give the training if there is no fuel,” said Kumar Darjee, a driving instructor.
Ganga Maya Rai, a driving trainee said, “I come from Devitar to Kalikhola for my driving classes. Last time also we faced a fuel shortage and the issue is still there. Therefore, I am heading home now.”
The Druk Petroleum Corporation, which runs the fuel station said their new stock of 16000 litres of diesel and 8000 litres of petrol will arrive tomorrow. According to the senior in charge of the station, the depot used to receive around 21,000 litres of diesel and 10,000 litres of petrol in a week before the pandemic. However, the supply has fallen to 8000 litres of diesel and 4000 litres of petrol in a week.
As a precautionary measure when the stock is left with 1000 litres of fuel, the depot reserves it for government vehicles and emergency purposes.
Nonetheless, it seems like the shortage will be addressed in the near future.
The Lhamoi Dzingkha Dungpa said that he has written about the shortage to the Department of Trade. Moreover, the Dungkhag Administration has also issued clearance and allocated an area to the STCBL for the construction of a new fuel station.
Devika Pradhan, Dagana
Edited by Kipchu
