Unaffordable accommodation in Phuentshogling continues to drive thousands of Bhutanese across the border and make a home in Indian town of Jaigoan.
Just across the border gate, is Chinese Lane, where scores of Bhutanese live. Majority of them say, they made the locality their home, as it is beyond their economic means to live in Phuentshogling.
Unable to afford a decent apartment in Phuentshogling, Passang Wangdi took a two-room apartment in Chinese Lane, last month. Including water and electric bills, he pays Rs. 4,000 as rent. He says it is cheaper and within his means to live in Chinese Lane.
Although, no official records are maintained, BBS found out that majority of Bhutanese living in Jaigaon fall in the lower income group.
On the other hand, their “choice” is not without challenges. The major one is security. When border gates are sealed for various reasons, the office-goers have to put up for a night or two with their friends, relatives or in hotels in Phuentshogling.
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While the lower and middle-income groups face difficulty in finding an affordable apartment in Phuentshogling, those available, are mostly occupied by people from outside or used as warehouse of business enterprises. This has also contributed to increasing house rents in Phuentshogling.
The National Housing Development Corporation constructed three buildings with eight units each for people of middle-income level, recently. This has helped ease the housing crunch a bit. The next phase of housing construction will be for people of lower income groups.
The Phuentshogling Thromde has also earmarked about 12 acres of land for construction of housing colonies under NHDC.
However, it will not be before soon when the construction works would actually begin.
