The Dhosoom business community in Trashi Yangtse were given yet another time extension of one year to complete their construction in the new township. However, all shops currently located in the old town will have to shift by the end of September, this year.
The decision was made during the public consultation meeting held in the district yesterday. It was held as per the directives from the ministry of works and human settlement after the Dhosoom business community submitted a letter to the Prime Minister’s office.
“Few plot owners have completed their buildings and have even started their business. Some of the residents say that they could not complete their construction works due to the ongoing pandemic. So we have decided that after three months all shops and restaurants will have to move out of the old town and shift to the new town. Likewise, we have also given them another time extension of one year to complete their works,” said Thuji Tshering, the Trashi Yangtse Dzongda.
The residents of Dhosoom town were supposed to shift to the new township by the end of June this year. However, for now, only nine plot owners have completed their buildings in the new town.
The Dzongda also requested the residents in the old town to shift to the new town as soon as possible given the high risk of falling boulders and the frequent outbreak of dengue fever in Dhosoom town.
However, some residents are still not very comfortable to shift.
“The rent is too high in the new town area and it is even difficult to get a house. We can get the ground floor but it is very expensive. It costs us around Nu 13,000,” said Karma Lhamo, a resident of Dhosoom.
Meanwhile, those businessmen who have already shifted to the new town are also struggling to make a good income without many customers.
“I have a restaurant, snooker, and karaoke in the new town. Since karaoke is not allowed, we are not able to make a good income for now. In a day, I only earn about Nu 3,000. But I have to pay a monthly rent of Nu 25,000 for my restaurant and 15,000 for snooker. We are facing difficulty with not many customers in the new area. If we can shift the old town here, then, there will be more people and we can earn more,” said Dechen Zangmo, a restaurant owner in the new town.
As per the dzongkhag administration, works to blacktop all roads in the new town area, drainage, and streetlight works are expected to be complete within the next three months.
This will be the 6th time that the time extension has been given to the public.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
