The Samtse Dzongkhag Tshogdu has directed authorities concerned to impose restrictions on the amount of fuel Indian cars can buy from the three fuel stations in the district. This decision is a measure to address the frequent fuel shortages faced by Samtse residents, primarily due to the increasing number of Indian vehicles coming into Bhutan for cheaper fuel. The Dzongkhag Tshogdu has instructed the Samtse District Administration, Municipal office, Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority, and Thromde Ngotshap offices to work together and set limits on the fuel quantity that Indian vehicles can purchase.
In Samtse, it is not unusual to find Indian vehicles lined up at almost every fuel depot to refill.
This happens almost every day. What is more concerning is the excessive amount of fuel some of these vehicles take from the fuel stations.
As a result, residents end up facing fuel shortages frequently. The long queues at the depots also interrupt traffic in the nearby areas.
The Samtse Thromde Ngotshap raised these concerns during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
“Due to the lower fuel rates in Bhutan compared to India, many Indians rush to refuel their cars in our country. This has led to a frequent shortage of fuel in the district. Additionally, we have discovered some Indian vehicles carrying excessive fuel. For example, an ECCO van that can only hold up to 20 to 30 litres of fuel was seen carrying 120 to 130 litres of petrol. It appears that they have modified their fuel tanks,” said Som Kumar Pradhan, Thromde Ngotshap.
The Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority officials also acknowledged the issue, stating that due to the rising number of Indian vehicles entering Bhutan, the fuel depots often run short of fuel.
Sometimes, the fuel reserves across the three depots do not even last for a day.
“Some Indian vehicles take almost an hour to refuel due to their large fuel capacity of 300 to 400 litres. While we can’t deny them fuel access in Bhutan, it’s crucial to establish limits. Even with three fuel depots, the reserves often don’t last a day, prompting a few Bhutanese to refuel in India due to the fuel shortage here,” said Ugyen, incharge of BCTA in Samtse.
He also mentioned that they recently found some Indian vehicles with modified fuel tanks adding that he had told them to switch back to the original tanks.
Following deliberations, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu has instructed the Samtse District Administration, Municipal office, BCTA, and Thromde Ngotshap office to review the situation and establish a limit on the amount of fuel Indian vehicles can procure.
Including the recently established STCBL fuel depot, Samtse currently has three fuel stations.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Phub Gyem
