The Trongsa Dzongkhag has asked 12 households of the total 15 in Langthil Gewog to be dismantled. These houses were built within 50 feet from the centre of the highway, which the Road Act 2004, disallows.
But, the house owners have appealed to the high court. Sonam Yangchen, 36, is among them.
“There are such houses everywhere in the country. Shouldn’t the law apply the same everywhere? We will respect the rule if it’s applied the same everywhere.”
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Moreover, she said, it is just temporary shops and that they have requested the authorities to allow them to remain until the completion of the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project
Another affected member, Dorji, said he decided to open a shop after he couldn’t save his crops from wild animals. “We are aware that we were going against the law but we had hoped to get support given our grim situation.”
The Trongsa District Court has ruled that the dzongkhag has the authority to order demolition of the houses built within 50 metres from the centre of the highway.
