Drivers in Tsirang and travellers along the Thimphu-Sarpang highway are frustrated with the slow refuelling service at the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan’s (STCBL) fuel depot in Damphu town. Commuters have been waiting in queues to refuel for over two months now. Drivers say the depot needs more staff to improve the service.
This is the daily scene at the STCBL fuel depot in Damphu. Vehicles line up from around 9:30 AM, and the queue lasts for up to two and a half hours. The situation repeats in the afternoon when fuel is unloaded.
Frustrated drivers often shout at staff or argue with each other.
Although the depot has six fuel dispensers, one staff is on duty per shift. The staff handles both petrol and diesel, causing major delays.
Sources confirm the depot has been short-staffed since a few employees resigned due to internal issues months ago.
“Earlier, we used to get fuel from four dispensers. Now, a single staff member is handling everything, and it takes more time. Some customers who are in a rush get frustrated. We usually wait around 30 minutes to an hour just to refuel,” said Samten Tshering, a taxi driver.
“The only staff here have to run from one pump to another. When we request them to hurry, they tell us to leave if we can’t wait. They do not seem to care about our problem. As taxi drivers, we also serve our people in a small way,” said Cheten Tshering, another taxi driver.
“My friends told me that the fuel from the STCBL depot is better. Like me, many choose this depot. This adds up to congestion. Moreover, most commuters travelling between Thimphu and Gelephu also stop here,” said Thinley Wangdi, who is also a taxi driver.
The queue affects traffic along the busy Thimphu-Sarpang highway, especially for taxi drivers. They say it also poses safety risks.
“Sometimes, when passengers are in a hurry, we have to return with the little fuel we have. It takes hours to get fuel,” said Sumjay, another taxi driver.
Taxi Driver Bikash Rai said, “The jam at the fuel depot delays everyone. For taxi drivers like us, time is everything. We need to move quickly when we get passengers.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of STCBL, in a telephone interview, said that the recruitment of additional staff for the fuel depot is underway and will be deployed at the earliest.
The depot began operation in August 2023. Tsirang currently has two fuel stations, including the STCBL’s.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
