Fuel consumption in the country declined last month compared to March. Fuel depot officials say rising fuel prices, along with walk-to-work initiatives, remote working, and virtual meetings, may have contributed to the drop. Fuel consumption in April fell by more than 11 M litres, enough to fill more than 220,000 SUV tanks.
Petrol consumption dropped by more than 3 M litres in April compared to March this year. Total petrol consumption stood at more than 4.4 M litres in April, down from over 7.6 M litres in March.
Diesel consumption also declined sharply. Consumption fell by more than 8.3 M litres last month compared to March. Total diesel consumption stood at over 11 M litres in April, compared to 19.5 M litres in March.
Officials at the fuel depot in Thimphu say they usually see a rush in fuel sales around the time the government revises fuel prices every fortnight. Last year, petrol consumption averaged more than 7 M litres during the same period, while diesel consumption averaged over 20 M litres.
Officials from the Department of Trade say the sharpest decline was seen in diesel consumption, as diesel is widely used in transport, construction, distribution, and other economic activities.
They add that government support on diesel prices has helped these sectors continue operating without a major increase in costs.
Fuel depots in Thimphu usually see a rush in fuel sales around the time the government revises fuel prices every fortnight.
However, taxi drivers say their fuel consumption has not decreased.
“For us taxi drivers, fuel consumption has not reduced. It has only increased. Previously, I would refuel once a week. This time around, I am refuelling twice a month because the quantity of fuel we get is less with the higher price. I have friends who work in the private sector and government agencies who own vehicles, and they share that they refuel only once a month and do not use their vehicles much due to the price increase,” said Sangay Tshewang, a taxi driver in Thimphu.
Some people BBS spoke to say fuel consumption has remained mostly unchanged outside Thimphu, where public transport services are limited.
Currently, the price of petrol is set at Nu 102.40 per litre, while diesel costs Nu 98.31 per litre in Thimphu.
Sonam Yuden
