Without a fuel station nearby, residents of Orong, Gomdar, and Wangphu Gewogs have to travel over 80 kilometres to Samdrup Jongkhar town just to refuel their vehicles. This they said is causing inconveniences and incurs additional expenses. The local leaders of three gewogs raised their concerns during the recent Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
The Gomdar Gup said if a fuel depot is constructed at Narphung, the three Gewogs will be benefitted along with Thrimshing Gewog in Trashigang and some parts of Martshala Gewog.
Narphung is located about 60 kilometres from Samdrup Jongkhar town towards Trashigang.
With no fuel depot nearby, some villagers store fuel in containers even if it is risky.
“Almost everybody has a vehicle these days but to refuel the vehicles, we have to go to Samdrup Jongkhar. Some even travel more than 80 kilometres, so it will be convenient if we have one fuel depot nearby,” said Leki Tshewang, a commuter.
“If we get a fuel depot here, it will be convenient. Sometimes the vehicle owners ask for fuel from us. So it will be helpful if we get a fuel depot here,” said Yenten Lhamo, a shopkeeper.
“I go to Samdrup Jongkhar just to refuel my car. I do not store fuel in the container as it is risky. So, it is quite expensive to go and refuel my car all the way to Samdrup Jongkhar,” said Rinchen Pelzang, a villager.
“If a fuel depot is set up here, it will benefit us a lot. Currently, I am travelling to Narphung from Sarjung but upon reaching Narphung, I have to go to Samdrup Jongkhar to refuel my vehicle. If we get a fuel depot here I can refuel and return to Sarjung from Narphung,” said Dawa Tshering, who is also a commuter.
According to local leaders, there are more than 400 vehicles in the three gewogs and every day hundreds of vehicles travel along the Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang Highway.
Similarly, the Dewathang Gup also said a fuel depot is also required in Dewathang during the Dzongkha Tshogdu. Dewathang is about 18 kilometres from the nearby fuel depot.
The Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag Tshogdu has requested the Regional Office of Industry Commerce and Employment in Samdrup Jongkhar to conduct an assessment and see the possibilities of setting up a fuel depot in Narphung and Dewathang. The house asked the office to file a report in ten days to the Dzongkhag Tshogdu Secretariat. The secretariat will then follow up on the matter with relevant agencies.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
