Clothing and handicraft vendors operating their businesses near the Centenary Farmers’ Market in Thimphu are struggling with dwindling customers due to the ongoing Kuendelling Bazam renovation. While Thimphu Thromde has set a 15-month deadline for the bridge’s completion, shopkeepers said they were not adequately informed about the project’s impact and relocation plans. The bridge reconstruction will cost Nu 33 M.
Technical experts from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Thimphu Thromde deemed the bridge unsafe, leading to its renovation since the mid of last month. However, business owners say that the lack of timely communication has placed them in a difficult situation.
Lhamo, a vendor said “We only open our shops three days a week, and the bridge renovation has affected that as well. We come here hoping to earn a few hundred ngultrum.”
Tenzin, another vendor said “Now, we struggle to make even Nu 100 to 200 a day. Before, we earned around Nu 3000 to 4000 over three days. Some shopkeepers have even had to close their businesses due to a lack of customers.”
However, the thromde office said it has not received any formal complaints from the vendors. According to the business owners, nearly 200 shops have been affected, and many have already closed. The Thimphu Thromde has announced plans to relocate the market to the old Kaja Throm to ensure public safety. However, the vendors said the thromde office has not provided a clear timeline for the relocation.
Likewise, Dorji Phuntsho said “The announcement about relocating to the old Kaja Throm was made on TV and social media, but we have not received any specific dates or time for the move. Moreover, the condition of that place is poor. Our situation is worsening daily, and we feel helpless.”
Some shopkeepers have suggested constructing a temporary bridge to improve access to the affected area. Yet, it remains unclear whether such measures will be considered by the officials.
Pema Wangmo, a vendor said “We would be grateful if a temporary bridge could be constructed, as we have no customers these days. How can we earn a living if there are no customers? We are unsure how we will pay our rent and feed ourselves if our business continues to decline.”
Similarly, Kuenga Singye said“The bridge renovation has affected our businesses. We all come from humble backgrounds. The government provided us with a good location, and we hope this renovation benefits us all. However, we would appreciate if a temporary bridge could be built.”
According to Thimphu Thromde, for the renovation project it will be using Glulam timber—a structural engineered wood product as cantilever beams which has longer lifespan.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Tshering Zam
