Pemagatshel dzongdag, Phuntsho, inaugurated the fuel depot in Denchi on July 30.

Bhutan Oil Corporation (BOC) constructed the oil depot worth Nu 8 million.

The dzongdag said although there was BOC service at Kheri Goenpa, people travelled to Samdrupjongkhar, Nganglam, and Wamrong as the service at Kheri Goenpa was not up to their expectations.

He said people sometimes complained that the fuel at Kheri Goenpa was mixed with water, as the refuelling works were done manually, which affected their vehicles.

He also said people faced problem while refilling their gas cylinders in Kheri Goenpa.

“To improve the service, the dzongkhag administration provided land on long-term lease and also the three unit single story building which was built as a warehouse for Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited (FCBL) to BOC,” the dzongdag said. “The BoC paid about 2.2M for the building.”

BOC’s regional manager, Dendup Tshering, said lack of dispensing pump affected their service delivery while they operated from Kheri Goenpa. “The service only benefited Zobel and Nanong gewog.”

He said there was no space for an extension at Kheri Goenpa and they shifted to Denchi. “Although shifting to Denchi caused loss to BOC, we are doing for the benefit of the public, as it will benefit all the people of the eight gewogs.”

The construction of the fuel depot started in April this year. The price for the petrol at Denchi fuel depot is Nu 60.06 and Nu 59.58 for diesel.

Dendup Tshering said they could now provide better service, as there is a separate dispensing pump for petrol and diesel, adding that they will also deliver services for kerosene and refilling of LPG cylinders.

He said that the depot at Kanglung in Trashigang, Autsho in Lhuntse, Doksum in Trashiyangtse and Samdrupcholing in Samdrupjonkhar were under construction and will be able to deliver the services within December.

The BOC is also carrying out the development works at Samdrupjongkhar, Jomotshangkha, Wamrong, Trashigang, Nganglam in Pemagatshel, Mongar and Trashiyangtse fuel depots.

Kelzang Wangchuk | Pemagatshel