The construction of a fuel depot in Doksum of Trashi Yangtse started in 2020 but it is not yet ready. People say in absence of a fuel depot in Doksum, they have to drive about 30 kilometres to Trashi Yangtse or Trashigang to refuel their cars.
Besides a storage tank out in the open, there is nothing at the fuel depot in Doksum. The site has been prepared and walls constructed more than a year ago.
The new township in Doksum has been developed. With an increasing number of people residing in the town, the demand for fuel is only going to increase. The town also caters to people in the nearby six gewogs.
“It is very inconvenient to travel to Trashigang or Trashi Yangtse to refuel our cars. It is difficult to travel to Trashi Yangtse with the ongoing road widening work. It has become very necessary to have a fuel depot here,” said Chophel, a Doksum Resident.
Another resident Chungku Wangdi said “I have to go to Trashigang for fuel. We will be grateful if we have a fuel depot here. Sometimes I even have to ask people to get fuel for me.”
It is no different in Kanglung in Trashigang. The fuel depot was constructed in 2019. Even fuel dispenser machines were installed. But it is yet to serve the purpose.
“We have to go to Trashigang about 25 kilometres away for fuel. It is a problem when the road gets blocked during the monsoon. It will benefit us a lot if the fuel depot is completed at the earliest,” said Jochu Drukpa from Kanglung.
Both the depots belong to Druk Petroleum Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer, Pema Wangdi, said everything is ready but they are waiting for experts from the Indian Oil Corporation to set up the machines for operation. But the pandemic is delaying the process.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
