The news of a new fuel retail outlet in Gakiling Gewog in Haa in April brought relief to its residents. However, the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan, which leased the state land for construction, has requested the district administration to postpone the construction until the highway blacktopping works are completed. This delay has disappointed the people who were eagerly awaiting the new fuel retail outlet.
Today, people of Gakiling and Sangbay Gewogs have to travel over 75 kilometres to Haa and over 65 kilometres to Samtse to refuel their vehicles.
There are currently more than 100 vehicles in Gakiling and Sangbay Gewogs.
“It is not just the locals who are affected but also civil servants in the two gewogs and officials working at the dungkhag,” said Tenpa Rinchen, Gakiling Mangmi.
“The problem is even worse in emergencies. Even if we have vehicles, without fuel, we cannot respond quickly. Setting up a fuel retail outlet here would benefit us immensely,” said Dorji, a resident of Sangbay Gewog.
“We would be grateful if a fuel depot is set up here immediately. It would be a huge benefit. Today, we have go to Haa and Samtse to get fuel in barrels, which at least takes two days and wastes a lot of our time,” said Ugyen Tshering, another resident of Sangbay Gewog.
The need for a fuel retail outlet was discussed in the Dzongkhag Tshogdu and forwarded to the relevant offices multiple times.
The two gewogs plan to write to the corporation to expedite the depot’s setup.
“This issue has been ongoing for over four years. We would like to request the company to take action and start the construction. Setting up a fuel depot will benefit everyone, including the ongoing Sochu Hydro power project in the gewog,” said Wang Tshering, Gakiling Gup.
“Now, with the delays, we are disappointed. The two gewogs will write to the company again appealing and requesting to start the construction works sooner,” said Tobgay, Sangbay Gup.
In the deferment letter, the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan (STCBL) mentioned that they would postpone the construction of the fuel depot in Gakiling due to poor road conditions, which may increase construction costs.
The letter further states that once the 20-kilometre road between Namchu and Sangbaykha Dungkhag is blacktopped, they will promptly start the construction.
Namgay Wangchuk, Haa
Edited by Sonam Pem
