Decades after identifying about 120 acres of land for the Bajo Town extension in Wangdue Phodrang, the dzongkhag administration finally started with infrastructure development. And by the end of July next year, the plot owners can expect to construct buildings in the extended town area.
The extended Bajo town is being developed between the existing Bajo throm till the area below Bajo Lhakhang. The Dzongkhag Administration is currently digging furrows for drain constructions and excavating land for road construction.
After that, works to construct footpaths, drainage and sewerage systems, and installation of street lights will begin. Once these basic amenities are in place, some 270 plot owners will be allowed to start construction in the extended town area. Up until now, the plot owners were not allowed to build any structure.
“I lived here since 1993. We didn’t have roads and we had to carry everything on our backs. Now that road construction is being carried out, we are grateful,” said Ugyen Dorji, a Plot Owner at the extended town.
“For the development of the whole extended town, it would cost us about Nu 240 M. The dzongkhag administration has allocated about Nu 6 M. We have proposed the remained budget of Nu 234 M to GNHC. So, by the end of the next financial year, we expect to start the construction works,” said Passang Dorji, the Dy. Chief Planning Officer for Wangdue Phodrang.
Moreover, there are plans to construct an integrated farmer’s market, football stadium and other recreational areas such as ‘River Front’ and ‘Valley of Flower’ within the extended town.
“Right in front of the old hospital, we plan to construct a football ground with all the modern facilities. We have already included this in our plan and even allocated a budget for its construction. Moreover, we plan to have an area for recreational purposes by the river,” he added.
The Dzongkhag Administration says if everything goes as planned, the town extension project is expected to complete in the next Five-Year Plan.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
