The lone fuel depot in Tsirang, which supplies Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, frequently runs out of stock. As a result, local leaders are requesting that the depot reserve some LPG cylinders specifically for rural residents. During the recent Tsirang Dzongkhag Tshogdu, local leaders highlighted that villagers struggle to obtain LPG cylinders on time, unlike those living in and around Damphu town.
Local leaders said that after much effort to reach the fuel depot in Damphu, villagers often have to return home without a refilled cylinder.
Sonam Lhamo, Kilkhorthang Mangmi said “people in rural areas do not know the exact timing when LPG cylinders reach the fuel depot. Therefore, it would be beneficial if the fuel depot could keep LPG cylinders separately for rural people.”
K.B Pradhan, Dunglagang Gup said “we come to the fuel depot only after placing orders through the online platform but still, we cannot get LPG cylinders after reaching there. I feel that the LPG cylinder shortage problem is only in Tsirang because even the most populated Thimphu does not face a shortage of LPG cylinders.”
Meanwhile, officials from Druk Petroleum Corporation in Damphu said that reserving separate LPG cylinders for rural residents would be impossible.
They added that villagers might be experiencing problems because they are unaware of the arrival times of cylinders at the depot.
The officials recommended calling to confirm the availability of LPG cylinders as a possible solution.
Ngawang Dendup from the Druk Petroleum Corporation said “we have to seek approval from the Department of Trade if we are to keep a separate LPG cylinders stock for rural communities. I guess the department will not approve it because we serve on a first come first basis. One thing at the moment is we do not distribute LPG cylinders on Sundays but now we are discussing with the Department of Trade to explore the possibility of distributing it even on Sundays.”
Currently, the fuel depot receives three truckloads, totaling over 1,100 LPG cylinders every month.
According to a Druk Petroleum Corporation official, there are plans to increase the number of LPG cylinders due to rising demand.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Tshering Zam
