The price of LPG cylinder, petrol and diesel has increased substantially in Gelegphu as a result of detour the fuel tankers have to make from Thimphu. The tankers haven’t been able to ply straight to Gelegphu from India given a crack that has appeared on Deosiri Bridge in Assam, India.
The price of LPG cylinder and kerosene in the country were hiked by more than double the existing rate on July 2 after the Indian government lifted the subsidy. Petrol price was increased on July 15 after a hike in India while the diesel price remained the same.
Following the price hike after the subsidy was lifted, an LPG cylinder was supposed to cost one Nu. 1109 in Gelegphu but now it costs Nu.1270, an increase of Nu.161.
The Assistant Manager of Gelegphu’s BOD, Sonam Dema, said the detour is affecting their business. She said it now takes minimum three days for the stock to reach Gelegphu.
She also said earlier a truck load of LPG cylinders were sold within hours of its arrival. The price of petrol was supposed to be Nu.63.57 per litre after the hike but now Gelegphu residents are paying Nu.68.27, an increase of Nu. 4.70.
The price of diesel used to be Nu.48.46 but now it costs Nu.52.60.
