The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, during the recent Midterm Review, said poor voter turnout for Local Government Elections in Phuentshogling is a grave concern.
Lyonchhen said there are many people living in the city and it is about 776 people deciding who their leaders should be.
Since many do not have voter rights, Lyonchhen said they do not have the power and authority.
“People cannot hold local government officials accountable. They cannot even come for the meeting, today.”
He said there isn’t even a roomful of people from Phuentshogling Thromde. “I see more people in gewog meetings.”
There are about 25,000 people living in Phuentshogling while only about a 1,000 have their census registered there.
The Prime Minister also talked about Phuentshogling Thromde’s heavy traffic.
He said the import of vehicles keeps increasing.
From January to April, this year 1,088 vehicles have been imported.
“If the import continues like this, we would certainly have traffic problem. Moreover, the entry point for foreign vehicle starts from Phuentshogling and we expect more traffic problem.”
Lyonchhen said the traffic congestion in Phuentshogling would ease once the separate road for heavy vehicles, connecting Pasakha Industrials Estate. completes.
Lyonchhen also added an additional customs station at Allay will be built.
Another entry point at Bow Bazar will be established.
Another issue, the Prime Minister brought up was housing crunch the city is facing. He said they would be working out solutions in a couple of years.
