Bhutan’s current population is estimated to be over 7,00,000. Of that, over 1,00,000 people live in Thimphu. And if that is any indication, Thimphu is highly populated at least compared to the rest of the country.
Thousands move to Thimphu every year, some in search of better opportunities, and many for employment.
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It would be right though to term the core town as crowded and not the whole of Thimphu.
Kinlay Dorjee
Thimphu Thrompon
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But the Thimphu Thrompon, Kinlay Dorjee, says it would be an overstatement to describe Thimphu as “crowded.” He said Thimphu has many local area plans, which are yet to be developed for settlement and other purposes. “If we talk in terms of road and parking spaces, then yes Thimphu is crowded.”
However, he said there are ample spaces in places like Taba, Samtenling and Babesa. “Crowded would mean all these plots are exhausted and there are still people moving in.”
Meanwhile, the Thimphu Structural Plan developed in 2000 projects the city population to hit 2,00,000 by 2027. Thrompon Kinlay Dorje, however, says the actual figure could go up to 3,00,000. “It shouldn’t cause to worry. I feel the city has a capacity to still absorb 200,000 to 3,00,000 more people”
