The supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Babesa, Thimphu has stopped for over three months after the distributor faced problems finding a place to run the branch.

About two years ago, the branch counter of Tashi Bhutan Oil Distributor (BOD) was opened in Babesa to provide to the growing need of cooking gas for consumers in the area. The branch catered to about a hundred consumers a day.

Tashi Yangzom, a resident in Babesa said it was convenient to refill cooking gas before. “Now, we have to go all the way to Motithang to refill. Sometimes when we reach there, cooking gas is already exhausted.”

She added that people are still seen with their empty gas cylinders at the place for refill. “They leave disappointed,” she said.

Regional manager of BOD in Lungtenzampa, Karma Thinley said that the supply was stopped, as there was no place for them to refill and supply the cooking gas. “The land owner wanted to use the land for personal purposes. We are still in search of a place to open a branch to supply gas to the consumers.” He said that the land they had used earlier was taken on lease.

He added that the BOD considered renting a house but did not pursue it because of the risks involved in dealing with the cooking gas. “We are looking for an open space area of about 20 decimals,” he said.

Dechen Wangmo, another resident at Babesa said, “I have a big family and gas runs out frequently. I don’t even keep the gas stored as it is dangerous.” She said that the supply of cooking gas stopped gradually.

Currently, it costs Nu 537 to refill a cooking gas and Nu 1,987 for a new gas cylinder. On an average the BOD in Motithang supplies 375 cylinders a day in Thimphu.

Rinchen Zangmo