The long-standing issue, the frequent breakdown of the fuel depot at Tungkutenpa in Panbang under Zhemgang, continues. The depot was supposed to come as a solution four years ago to the problem in the area. However, the solution has added to the problem as the depot’s fuel pump keeps breaking down. Panbang fuel depot was established in 2017.
The Damchen Petroleum’s fuel depot along the Panbang-Nganglam highway has remained closed for more than a month now despite having reserves. The reason- the same old problem of petrol pump malfunction. The issue has many motorists upset having to leave the station without filling up their vehicles. In September last year, a mechanic from Assam fixed the dispensers. But it did not last long.
Phangkhar Gup Tashi said the depot is not serving any purpose. “Despite being centrally located, the Panbang fuel depot has not benefited the people of the four lower Kheng of Zhemgang. It remains closed throughout the year.”
“To refill fuel, we have to go to Nganglam which is about 55 kilometres and the nearby fuel depot in Tingitbi is about 80 kilometres from Panbang. We had a severe problem with fuel during the last lockdown. People complained to the gewog authority asking for a solution. We even informed the government but we did not get any response to date and we continue to face the problem,” added Phangkhar Mangmi Ngawang Dorji.
“We couldn’t refill our vehicle when we got to the fuel depot. If that’s the case, I think the government should look for other good companies who can provide better service,” added Bardo Mangmi Tshering Tenzin.
According to the officials of the Damchen Petroleum Corporation Limited in Thimphu, the fuel pump machines became faulty about a month ago. But the company could not bring in mechanics from India to repair the machine immediately because of the ongoing pandemic situation. The officials said that the problem could not be fixed even after several attempts by local mechanics. The company’s management also informed the COVID-19 Task Force about the problem and offered an alternate solution to bring expertise from Assam.
The Damchen Petroleum has also written to its trading partner in India to replace the faulty machine with a new one and send in additional structures for the Panbang fuel depot.
According to residents, the problem is not as severe during normal times as they could resort to illegal fuel suppliers to refill their vehicles. But this is not possible nowadays with none willing to trade fuel and this has made life difficult for them especially during emergencies.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
