People in Monggar town are urging the fuel depot operator to use the newly established digital fuel dispensers to refuel their cars. Despite being set up nearly a year ago, they have remained unused. The fuel depot is instead continuing to rely on older, non-digital pumps.
The new fuel dispensing units in Monggar town were installed almost a year ago, but they have remained unused.
The old pumps which are in use currently only display the fuel metre reading. However, the new digital pumps provide additional details, such as the total amount of fuel dispensed, the price, and the oil density.
Many customers believe that using the digital system will enhance service quality, reduce vehicle congestion, and ensure greater transparency in fuel transactions.
“In Thimphu, we can clearly see the total fuel dispensed and the price, but here, without such information, we become sceptical. The old pumps do not display the total amount, and we are not fully aware of what we are paying for,” said Sonam Chophel, a resident of Dramedtse Gewog, Monggar.
“Since we are illiterate, we don’t always understand the exact fuel prices. We just ask for fuel worth 1,500 ngultrum, and they refill our vehicle. In places such as Phuentshogling, the machines display the total amount and fuel quantity, but here, we don’t have that system. When we refill 20 litres, we are unsure how much we are paying,” said Ugyen Wangdi, a resident of Yangnyer Gewog, Trashigang.
“I can’t say for sure if there is manipulation, but I do have doubts. When travelling long distances, it’s more convenient to refill using a machine that shows the total fuel and price. However, here, they still use the old pump,” said Ugyen Namgay, a resident of Jamkhar Gewog, Tashi Yangtse.
The Bhutan Oil Corporation, BOC which operates the fuel depot, said that the delay is due to incomplete electrical and underground pipeline work. The Indian Oil Corporation in Assam, which supplies fuel to BOC, has assured that the remaining work will be completed by the end of this month, with the digital system expected to be operational by next month.
Similarly, in Trashigang, residents had also urged the operation of the digital fuel dispensers, which were installed about a year ago. According to BOC, while the facility was initially used, it encountered technical issues. However, the depot has now resolved the problems and resumed digital fuel dispensing since last week.
Meanwhile, BOC is also planning to install digital fuel dispensers in Lhuntse, Trashi Yangtse, and Wamrong in Trashigang. The company added that the Department of Trade is also pushing the Indian Oil Corporation to supply digital multi-dispensing units to BOC at the earliest.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Kipchu
