Business in what used to be a commercial hub in Trashigang, Rangjung town is dying slowly. The town, which was identified to be a satellite town about a decade ago, now looks deserted. Many shops are closed most of the time and the open ones hardly see any customers.
Shopkeepers are blaming the improved road networks in the gewogs and villages as a reason for their dwindling business.
“Previously, the road network was till Rangjung. There was no road connection to other places like Chaling, Phongmey and Yabrang. People had to shop here. We could easily sell a truck load of rice within a month,” said a shopkeeper in Rangjung, Sonam Norbu. Now, he says it takes about a year to sell the same amount of rice.
According to shopkeepers, the sale of grocery items has also gone down drastically. Shopkeeper Choney said there are shops being set up in every village with an access to road which is affecting their businesses.
The shopkeepers say it will be difficult to retain their businesses if the trend continues. They say they are hoping for a better business once the government recognises Rangjung as a satellite town.
