Development in Paro’s Shaba Denkha has come to a halt. The gewog has been instructed not to initiate any new projects until a Local Area Plan is finalised. Shaba is a rapidly growing peri-urban settlement located along the Paro-Thimphu highway. Despite its strategic location and growing population, residents say it lacks basic infrastructure and amenities such as streetlights, proper footpaths or parking areas. Safety concerns and waste issues continue to persist in the town.
Shaba Denka, once a quiet area with only around 10 households, has grown into a roadside town with over 700 residents today.
Located along the Paro-Thimphu highway, it connects government offices, schools, and sees regular traffic from tourists and commuters. It has become one of the fastest-growing peri-urban settlements in Paro.
Yet, residents say development hasn’t kept up with the town’s rapid growth.
“There isn’t a single streetlight in Shaba town. This area is frequently used by both high-profile individuals and regular commuters. Paro is often seen as one of the more developed districts, but unfortunately, Shaba hasn’t seen any real development for a very long time,” said Chimi Wangmo, Resident, Shaba, Paro.
Residents also raised concerns about poor waste management. While the gewog has made some improvements and held cleaning campaigns, residents say waste is still dumped illegally at night, often beside shops, near the road and the river near the town.
A CCTV camera has been installed but residents say it mostly monitors traffic and does little to deter illegal activities. A vegetable stall was reportedly burglarised a few weeks ago. Residents say that gang fights are happening more often in the area.
Parking also remains a daily challenge, with no designated spaces and roadside parking making movement difficult for both pedestrians and drivers.
“If we had proper footpaths, students would have a safer place to walk instead of being forced onto the road. Right now, it’s very risky. Cars, people, and even animals all share the same space. The road is congested, with buildings lined up on both sides, and the population has grown in recent years. The challenges have only increased, but no improvements have been made to address them,” said Lotey, Restaurant Owner, Shaba, Paro.
According to the gewog office, several projects, including streetlights, CCTV cameras, and parking expansion, were proposed for 2025–2026 financial year under the Small Development Project budget.
However, these plans have been put on hold, as officials have been told not to proceed with new infrastructure work until the ongoing Local Area Plan process is complete.
Karma Samten Wangda, Paro
Edited by Sonam Pem
