𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦

…𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚

By Ngawang Jamphel

The residents of Tashicholing Drungkhag, which encompasses Namgayacholing Gewog, Norgaygang Gewog, Pemaling Gewog, Tendruk Gewog, and Tashicholing Gewog, along with Sangacholing Gewog and Yoeseltse Gewog, find themselves grappling with a predicament of fuel and gas shortage. With a population exceeding 20,000, their reliance on a single fuel station has strained the supply, causing inconvenience and frustration among locals.

Kuenzang Peljure, the Gup of Tashicholing Gewog, stated, “The shortage is due to the surge in mega-projects like Gyelsung Infra and the construction of a new hospital. The rapid pace of development in the area has heightened the demand for fuel and gas, surpassing the capacity of the existing infrastructure. Consequently, residents face the challenge of securing essential resources for their daily needs.”

Aware of the scarcity, many residents resort to bulk purchases, exacerbating the strain on the limited supply. Ugyen, a resident, expresses the common sentiment of disappointment as repeated visits to the station yield empty hands, emphasizing the frustration endured by the community.

A local contractor expressed inconvenience, noting, “We often rely on friends traveling from Samtse or Phuntsholing to bring fuel in a container as I frequently travel for my small business.” This dependency poses logistical challenges and underlines the need for alternative solutions to ensure consistent fuel access. The contractor’s reliance on external sources highlight the limitations of local resources and transportation infrastructure, impacting business operations in the region.

However, amidst the hardships, hope emerges as Sonam Wangdi, the Drungpa of Tashicholing Drungkhag, shares the plans for a new fuel station. The prospect of a supplementary facility brings relief to the beleaguered residents, promising to alleviate the strain on the existing station and cater to the burgeoning demand.

The community’s proactive approach is evident as they voice their concerns to the ministry and petition the Department of Trade. By actively engaging with relevant authorities, they seek lasting solutions to their pressing issues, stressing their determination to address the challenges collectively.

“As the region progresses towards development, the provision of essential services becomes paramount. Access to fuel and gas is not merely a convenience but a necessity for daily life and economic activities. The shortage serves as a reminder of the critical infrastructure needs that must be addressed to sustain growth and improve the quality of life for residents,” said Sonam Wangdi.

The shortage of fuel and gas in Tashicholing Drungkhag reflects the challenges accompanying rapid development. However, it also highlights the community’s resilience and determination to seek solutions. Through concerted efforts and proactive engagement, they strive to create a sustainable future where essential resources are readily available to all.