About 20 per cent of the phase-I developmental works of the new Gasa town is complete. A private construction company is carrying out the construction works. Phase-I of the construction is scheduled to complete in April next year. Until then, the residents of the old town will not be allowed to start their house construction in the new town planning area.
Currently, the excavation works of the sewerage network and service duct constructions are ongoing. Inter-urban road connections, retaining walls, sewerage network and service ducts will be constructed in the first phase. The site development works that began in November last year has completed road formation and retaining wall construction. The electrification and drinking water supply works will be carried out simultaneously.
“We will construct roads and will be doing the stone soling base course. For now, we are carrying out a service duct for cables,” said Bimal Kafley, the Project Engineer of TT construction.
Meanwhile, residents of old Gasa town are eagerly waiting to begin their house constructions in the new town planning area. They said the risk of disasters in the old town area is high as the settlements are all clustered with wooden structures. They added maintaining hygiene is another challenge.
“The work funded by the government has started and is ongoing. We are all anxious to begin our construction once that works are complete. There is an advantage if we have our own house in our respective Thrams. This way, it would be more convenient for us to avail loans,” said Namgay, a resident of the old town area.
“We are hoping the construction works to complete soon so that we can start the construction works. The excitement is so much so that I am ready to begin the construction works anytime I am asked to,” added Tashi.
The new town area is about a kilometre away from the existing town in an area of 74 acres. As per the master plan, there will be Road Safety and Transport Authority Office and Royal Bhutan Police outpost in the area.
Changa Dorji, Gasa
