Come December, the people in Samdrupchhoeling Dungkhag will not have to drive to Samdrup Jongkhar town, 68 kilometres away, to refuel their cars. This is because a fuel depot will open in the Dungkhag some six months from now.
A 50-decimal land has been identified for the construction of the depot. All clearances have also been sought. “We received land ownership certificate six days ago,” said Dendup Tshering, the Regional Manager of the Bhutan Oil Distributor (BOD) in Samdrup Jongkhar.
“An official from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) also visited the site a week ago and agreed to establish a fuel depot by the end of the year,” added the Dendup Tshering.
A need for a fuel depot was felt as the number of vehicles in the dungkhag increased over the years. There are more than 500 registered vehicles in the dungkhag.
Currently, in the absence of a depot, motorists fill up their tank from the depot in Samdrup Jongkhar. “I also buy fuel in jerry cans to last until my next visit to the town,” said Cheki Drakpa.
“It’s not uncommon for us to run out of fuel stock,” said Tsheltrim Dorji, a resident. “The opening of the fuel depot will benefit us a lot.”
Some people buy fuel from people who transport fuel in barrels and drums from Samdrup Jongkhar. “But they charge more,” said Sangay Dorji Tamang.
