Shopkeepers at the Sunday Market in Tsirang’s Pungtenchhu Gewog are requesting that authorities develop a proper town in the area. They say that establishing a permanent business centre would attract more customers and improve their livelihoods. The Pungtenchhu Gewog administration also submitted a proposal during the Dzongkhag Tshogdu last month.
The Sunday Market in Tashichhoeling Chiwog, formally known as Manglay Bazaar. Established in the 1940s, the market once served as a major business hub for Pungtenchhu Gewog and three neighbouring gewogs of Tsirang Toed, Semjong, and Sergithang.
Initially, businesses were operated on Tuesdays, but later shifted to Sundays with the hope of getting more customers. Today, about 15shopkeepers operate businesses from semi-permanent structures. However, very few customers visit the market. Four shopkeepers have already closed their shops due to poor business.
His Majesty The King granted Land Ownership Certificates to 16 shopkeepers in 2018. The shopkeepers now expect a proper town.
“In the past, the market used to be bustling with many shopkeepers and customers. People used to bring goods on their backs from Sarpang and even Kokrajhar in India since we had no vehicles then. Residents from three neighbouring gewogs also used to do business here,” said Barma Lal Adhikari, Resident, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
“If the development comes, it will be much better as the school and the temple are nearby. The shopkeepers will bring all the necessary goods for the people so that the customers will be attracted. They don’t have to travel all the way from here to Damphu. It takes almost two and a half hours to reach Damphu,” said Dhan Maya Bhandari, Shopkeeper, Burichhu Sunday Market, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
“If a new town is constructed here at Manglay Bazaar, it would bring immense economic growth in the community. The town not only provides market spaces for residents of Pungtenchhu gewog but also to three gewogs of Tsirang Toed, Semjong, and Sergithang,” said Hari Adhikari, Resident, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang
“Nowadays, many individuals run small shops from their homes. So business here has drastically declined. If people come here with their farm and livestock products on Sundays, it would revive business here,” said Nanda Lal Dhaurali, Resident, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
The good old days are a distant memory. Many structures at the market are in poor condition, affecting the business.
“The structures have become very old and are in poor condition now. During summer, rainwater leaks in and spoils our goods,” said Pabitra Maya Ghimiray, Shopkeeper, Burichhu Sunday Market, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
The Tsirang Dzongkhag Tshogdu also heard the people’s plea last month for town development.
“Unlike other places, we don’t have issues with land and Thram since His Majesty The King has granted the shopkeepers with Land Ownership Certificates. Similarly, plot owners also have high expectations of developing a proper town in the area,” said Shiva Lal Karaiya, Pungtenchhu Gup, Tsirang.
“It is easy to establish a town, but difficult to manage it later. We can’t rush just because there are Land Ownership Certificates or plot owners ready to build houses. So proper planning is necessary, and we must also consider annual expenses,” said Karma Dorji, Tsirang Dzongrab.
The house decided to send relevant officials from the district administration to inspect the site and present a report in the next session.
Until then, the once-thriving Manglay Bazaar stands as a reminder of its vibrant past, now waiting for a revival through proper town development.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
