Come November, local vegetable vendors in Toepaisa Gewog in Punakha will have a proper and safer market shed to sell vegetables. A 28-unit Organic Product Centre is being constructed at Bjichulum. Today, the foundation works for the construction of the centre is ongoing in full swing.
The shed is being constructed along the Punakha-Thimphu highway. Once complete, every registered vendor will be allocated a unit each. Currently, there are 26 registered vendors with the centre.
The centre will have proper parking space for vehicles, footpath and electricity supply.
“We have around twelve to thirteen people who sell vegetables every day along the highway. They are all excited. Today, we sell vegetables along the highway which is risky,” said Kinley Penjor, Chairman of the Organic Product Centre.
“Our products won’t get damaged by the sun or rainfall. Today, without a proper shed, the sunlight damages all our products. And heavy vehicle splashes mud and water destroying our items during the rainy season,” said Cheki Pemo, a vendor.
“With a proper parking space in the new shed, there will be no risk of accidents,” added Kinga Lhaden.
However, the vendors are proposing bigger units once the Centre is complete.
“However, our members are sharing that the size of the unit in the new market shed is a little smaller than their present temporary makeshift. So, they said it would be convenient if they are given two units each,” said Kinley Penjor.
According to the Chairman of the Centre, there is a need to construct retaining walls behind the Centre once complete. He says there are chances of water flooding into the Centre when the stream above the shed soars during the rainy monsoon season.
However, the dzongkhag official says there is no need to construct walls as the roads department in Lobesa has assured to carry out routine clean-up of the hume pipe and culvert below the market shed.
Currently, the local vendors continue to sell vegetables along the Punakha-Thimphu highway which the chairman of the Organic Product Centre says is prone to accidents.
The new market shed is being constructed at a cost of Nu 14 M on an area of 34 decimal state land on lease.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
