The minister of works and human settlement, Dorji Choden said instead of project’s staff quarter, the new throm, Khitsang will provide housing, about 200 flats, for the staff of Kholongchu Hydropower Project.
The statement came as a response to the question brought up by Boomdeling-Jamkhar MP, Dupthob, during the National Assembly’s Question Hour session.
MP Dupthob said the Kholongchu project was expected to benefit the people of Duksum’s new town, Khitsang, by providing office spaces and housing for the staff of the project. However, he said there were no clear directives from the government.
Lyonpo Dorji Choden said the government had discussed about the housing with the project, taking lessons and experiences from the previous hydropowers projects. The government, Lyonpo said, then decided that the project will not construct houses for the staff.
Instead, she said, the project has agreed to hire three units from each landowners of the new throm. The project had also submitted letters to the bank, in support of the landowners, to construct houses.
Lyonpo said Khitshang has full support from the government, project, and dzongkhag to come up with construction.
She also said some of the business people from the community wanted to build more than two-storied houses. “It is not feasible given the rugged terrain,” Lyonpo said.
