The opening of a new fuel station in Dagana has brought joy and relief to the people of Tseza Gewog and residents living nearby. Before this, people had to travel all the way to Dagapela which is on the other side of the district to refuel their cars. The new fuel outlet which is the third one in Dagana is owned by the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan or the STCBL.
The fuel retail outlet located between Daga town and Tseza Gewog has two underground tanks and can store up to 45,000 litres of diesel and 35,000 litres of petrol.
The facility has two dispensing units and offers its services from six in the morning till 10 PM every day.
The new facility has brought happiness to not only vehicle owners but also to farmers most of whom have farming machines.
Kaka, a resident of Daga Town said, “We have officials from all nine ministries, Daga Rabdhey, Royal Bhutan Police, and businessmen residing in Daga town. We have to cover 90 kilometres to refuel our vehicles in Dagapela. But half of the fuel is consumed in travel.”
Tseza Gup Samten Jamtsho said, “With the money saved from not having to travel all the way to Dagapela, people will be able to buy a few litres of fuel. Moreover, many of the residents in the gewog are practising mechanised farming and fuel is crucial for them.
Ugyen Dem, a resident of Tseza Gewog said, “We don’t have much income. So, it is expensive for us to travel to Dagapela to buy fuel. We don’t have our own cars to travel there, so we have to pay travel fares, which are expensive.
At the opening of the fuel station, Dagana Dzongda Tashi Tobgay said the facility would also benefit other people travelling via the district.
“Once the road connecting Daga Dzong to Kamichhu in Wangdue Phodrang becomes accessible, the fuel depot will benefit commuters immensely,” said the dzongda.
The STCBL spent around Nu 18 M on the project. The facility will also sell lubricants and other STCBL products.
An STCBL official said construction of another fuel station is in their plan, which will be constructed at Lhamoi Dzingkha in Dagana. There are also plans to construct such facilities at Panbang in Zhemgang, Doksum in Trashi Yangtse, and another in Haa. They are expected to be constructed next year.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
