Shop owners of Dagapela town in Dagana are yet to start the construction works on their lands as they await for the Dzongkhag Administration to carry out the land demarcation works. They were forced to vacate their previous settlements in December last year for demarcation works. They were told that they would be granted the construction approval after a month.
The district engineering sector last year issued a notification stating that the land demarcation works will start in the same month. But it is almost three months now, and the plot owners have heard nothing from the Dzongkhag office.
For now, shop owners have built temporary sheds on private land just above the old town area. Paying Nu 800 per month for a small space, shop owners are also using temporary sheds for their business purposes.
“We were notified to shift our shops to temporary sheds after dismantling our old structures in December last year. Accordingly, we shifted to the current area in just 20 days of the notification. We were told that the plot allotment will be done immediately but still plot allotment works are not carried out,” said Nado, one of the plot owners.
“It would be good if relevant officials could carry out land demarcation works as soon as possible so that we can start the construction works. Without a proper shed, we are facing numerous problems such as drinking water shortage, lack of clean toilets and poor road condition and parking spaces. It has been three months now after we shifted here,” added San Man Thingh another plot owner.
“Thram holders here have been asking us about the plot allotment works. We informed the Dzongkhag administration and they assured us that officials from the works and human settlement ministry will be here soon for the plot allotment works. But till now nobody has come here for the purpose. We would be grateful if the government speed up the town construction works since the plot owners are worried about delaying construction works.” said Nar Bdr. Bal, one of the committee members of the Dagapela Town Planning Committee.
BBS reached out to the district engineer for comments on the delay of the demarcation works and other developments related to the new town.
The town has 36 plot owners. His Majesty The King granted Land Ownership Certificates to the plot owners in 2017.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
