Pajau Media Channel
10th June, 2024
According to Putao residents, after the Myitkyina-Putao highway closes, they have to cross the Indian border to buy fuel for farming due to local shortages and skyrocketing prices.
One farmer who transported fuel from the Indian border mentioned, “There were four or five teams that went to the India border to carry fuel and returned. There are two routes: one from Nam Htum Hku and another from Phong Yin, Phong Gan Razi Ice Mountain. Both routes take four nights to travel, and it takes about a week to return to Putao, totaling ten days for the round trip.”
Reports indicate that Putao residents must cross ice mountains to the Indian border to buy fuel for farming and livelihood. The two routes, Nam Htum Hku and Phong Yin, Phong Gan, require ten days for the round trip.
Residents must cross the Indian border to purchase fuel for farming and livelihoods, navigating through icy terrains. The round trip on the Phong Gan route takes ten days.
“Although we can buy diesel and gasoline by crossing the Indian border, the rough terrain allows us to carry only eight gallons each. Many people make this journey, and we also have to exchange our currency for Indian Rupees,” the resident added.
Locals face fuel shortages during farming season, forcing them to buy fuel from India. Gasoline prices have risen to 120,000 kyat per bottle, and diesel to 150,000 kyat per gallon, with some trading for 13 baskets of rice.
While some fuel is transported from Shing Hkong region in Hkawng Lan Phu Township near the China border, difficult road conditions make it hard to buy and transport.
In early May, the Kachin State Government airlifted diesel for Putao farmers, but only one gallon per farmer was sold.
News - Mali Hku
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