Pema Lhamo and Samten Wangchuk | Interns

Price of fuel increased to an all-time high with petrol costing Nu 81.54 a litre, an increase of Nu 3.86 and diesel increasing to Nu 80.06 from Nu 75,02 a litre in Thimphu.

As of yesterday, remote Gasa recorded the highest fuel price hike, where the price of petrol increased to Nu 83.20 a litre and diesel increased to Nu 81.61 a litre. Gelephu recorded the lowest fuel price at Nu Nu 75.80 for a litre of petrol and Nu 76.11 for a litre of diesel.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s depot manager, Megnath Subedi, said fuel price fluctuates at midnight of every month. “The principal companies do not share the reasons price increase.”

He said since fuel is imported from the Middle East countries, it is understood that prices of fuel at the source increased.

Taxi drivers and private car owners waiting to refuel at the depot said they are unhappy with the price hike.

A taxi driver, Tshering Norbu, 39, from Trashigang, said he has been driving taxi for the last 15 years. “The price hike will impact taxi drivers like me, who have to depend on Road Safety and Transport Authority to increase taxi fare but keep paying more fuel price.”

He said he ordered an electric car two years ago although it was more expensive. Tshering had not yet received the electric taxi. “I think electric cars would be more convenient for taxi drivers like us.”

People availing taxi services are also worried about the fuel price hike.

Sonam Dorji, 23, who regularly uses taxi to go home, said taxi drivers are already charging different fares blaming the fuel price hike. “I am worried they will increase the fare now.”

He said price of essentials would also increase after the fuel price hike. “Common people are going to suffer.”