Ministry of Works and Human Settlement has turned down the Trongsa Dzongkhag’s plan of constructing a multi-level car park below the town. The ministry found that the chosen location is not feasible. Hence the ministry has asked the dzongkhag to explore a feasible location.
The area was found in close proximity to the river. The municipality engineer said that for any construction, a minimal fifteen meters distance from the riverbed is recommended. The area was recommended for reed plantations. Reed is a tall slender-leaved plant that grows in watery and marshy ground. Hence the ministry concluded that the ground structure at the chosen location is poor for construction.
The municipality office and town representative, however, said they have planned to construct on the chosen location as they found it viable. They also said they do not see any other options to explore.
“The architect went to Thimphu to present the plan to the ministry following which the ministry has instructed to halt the construction. So people here are disheartened with this news,” said Karma Lethro Trongsa town representative.
“It is inconvenient when we need park cars or drop people in the town due to narrow parking space. If there is a designated space for parking, it would benefit,” added Phurba Wangdi a taxi driver.
The municipality office has readied the architectural designs as well. It is a three-storied multi-level car park.
“The first and the second floor would be for parking spaces and the topmost floor will accommodate the office of Road Safety and Transport Authority, and luggage and restrooms,” said Karma Lethro.
The Trongsa municipality office planned to construct a multi-level car park since the beginning of the 12th Five Year Plan to ease traffic congestion and broaden the parking space in the town area. A budget of Nu 24 million was approved in the current financial year for this.
Passang
