Residents in the upper parts of Trashigang face a challenge when refuelling their vehicles, as there are no fuel stations in the region. People in Merak, Sakteng, Phongmey, Radhi, Shongphu, and Bidung Gewogs have to drive for hours to the nearest station in Pam which is quite inconvenient. Residents are hoping relevant officials will address this issue soon.
The closest fuel station is at least 18 kilometres away for some gewogs, while Merak and Sakteng, the most distant gewogs, are more than 70 kilometres away.
After refuelling their vehicles, people also make sure to take extra petrol or diesel in containers.
While people have become accustomed to this practice, they are hoping a fuel station will be constructed closer to their homes such as in Rangjung.
“The problem becomes severe when we have to take sick people to the hospital or when someone dies. Or when there is an emergency and we have to travel immediately. During such times, we don’t have time to travel to the fuel station to refill our cars,” said Sonam Wangdi, a resident of Bidung Gewog.
“We can’t travel to the fuel station all the time to refuel our cars, so we ask some of our friends to provide us with extra fuel they have stored in containers and they charge quite a high price, but we don’t have any other option,” said Ten Zangpo, a resident of Shongphu Gewog.
Pema Jamtsho, a resident of Radhi Gewog said, “If we take a vehicle on hire till Trashigang, for a single trip they charge around Nu 1000-1200. It is double if we want a return trip as well, and it also takes half the day to travel.”
Local leaders also raised the concern during one of the Dzongkhag Tshogdu sessions last year.
The Dzongkhag Administration had initially identified a site at Buna to construct a fuel station. However, the plan was dropped after officials who visited the location found the land to be insufficient.
The office is currently exploring a suitable land to construct the fuel depot.
Once constructed, the station will benefit around 350 vehicle owners based in the upper parts of Trashigang.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
