The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In an effort to minimize Bhutanese citizens living in the bordering areas, the government has now started a project to build more than 300 housing units for the people. The Minister of Works and Human Settlement, Lyonpo Dorji Choden said that 3 different areas have been identified to build those housing units.
This is in regard to the increasing number of people working in Phuntsholing and residing in Jaigaon due to the shortage of apartments or expensive rents.
“It is not a good thing to stay in the border towns as it is very uncomfortable especially when young children are there in a family” said Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay.
During an official visit to Phuntsholing last year, His Majesty the King also addressed the need for adequate houses for the citizens living in Phuntsholing.
Lyonpo Dorji Choden also said that the MoWHS is in close collaboration with the National Housing Development Corporation Limited (NHDCL) in looking for measures to provide adequate houses for the Bhutanese people.
“The Thimphu city boundary will be extended to allow the private sector to come up with houses” said the Minister. As of now, the ministry has acquired about eight acres of land in Thimphu in collaboration with NHDCL and National Land Commission (NLC) but the sector to which it should be handed over for the construction and progression of the housing units is yet to be identified.
The Prime Minister said that the main reason for such issues to even arise is because of the rural urban migration. People are overcrowded in some places and the government’s focus would be to create opportunities in places other than Thimphu or Phuntsholing. “This is why a different Thromde is proposed for each 20 Dzongkhag and where Business Opportunity and Information Centre (BOIC) come’s into play, so that there are more opportunities for job and the balance is restored.
