Bajo still in disarray

The business people of Gangthangkha town in Wangdue have been asked to shift to the new town in Bajo. But the new town is still in the construction mess.

With some 30 buildings still under construction, the town has no proper parking space, footpaths, drainage, and sewage tank, among others. It will be months before business can fully take off. Which means it will be that long before the some businesses can resume their normal life.

Electric and TV cables are stretched overhead all over the place with support of bamboo poles. If big trucks deployed at the construction sites accidently bring down the wires, the danger of electrocution is real.

The municipal in-charge, Lobzang, said the parking spaces are all covered with construction materials and the drains are blocked with sand and mud. There are more vehicles in Bajo than housing units, he added.

Recently, a car parked by the roadside near a construction site was damaged when a heavy plank fell on it.

A resident said safety is a big issue in the new town.

Phurpa, a resident, said the taxi parking is muddy and too small to accommodate even 50 taxis. The bus station and truck parking are no different.

Wangdue Dzongda Lhendup Wangchu said the new town is, however, comparatively safer.

With no further deadline extension granted by the government, the old town will have to be vacated in two weeks from September 1.

All shops in the old town are closed. A few houses have already been brought down.

While shifting is in full swing, about 20 residents haven’t got a place to move in yet. According to the thromde thueme, they are the ones who were initially given a plot to be shared between two owners. The distribution procedure couldn’t be completed after a few business people appealed to His Majesty on not getting their share of land.

The dzongda said if they don’t have a place to move in, it’s their problem. “They will have to rent a place elsewhere, and they can’t always expect the government to come to their rescue.”

In the recent Meet the Press session, Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley said if Gangthangkha town was not shifted soon, it could face disaster like Chamkhar town in Bumthang. “Taking into consideration the plight of the few will put many lives at risk,” he said. “Who will be responsible then? It will be the government that will have to be held accountable.”

Meanwhile, some new buildings don’t have occupancy certificate, which is mandatory to obtain services like water and electricity.

Dzongda, however, said basic services like water and electricity will not be provided without an occupancy certificate.

By Sonam Pelden