Being in the right location allows a business to maximize its opportunity. However, without the required facilities, not much can be gained. One such place is Lungchhuna village under Hungrel Gewog in Paro. Ideally located next to the dzong, it has a huge scope of becoming a booming residential area. However, some 16 families are not able to reap the benefits, all for the lack of a road.
In the past, residents used to ferry construction materials through the college’s road. However, after the dzongkhag administration stopped them from using it in 2005, construction activities became an expensive affair.
One of the residents, Sangay Penjor, constructed his house at the time when they were allowed to use the road. But after they were barred from using it, he said it became challenging for them to carry out construction activities.
“To construct a new house and to even carry out the maintenance works, we have to carry everything on our back from Nyamizam,” he said.
Although there is also a way from above the village, residents are prohibited from using it since it falls in the dzong area. As per the dzongkhag administration, allowing it would affect the sanctity of the Tendrelthang area.
Nim Dem, another resident, and who is constructing a house these days carries construction materials from the dzong’s parking – some 100 metres from their place.
And with the restriction, she said she has to spend a major chunk of the expenditure in transporting construction materials to the site.
“I requested the dzongkhag administration to allow me to ferry my construction materials for time being, but they denied it. So, constructing a house is very expensive,” she added.
The place doesn’t even have a good sewerage system. With small drains, drain water overflows into their homes, especially in summer.
“Sewer from the Tendrelthang above the place is directly connected to the sewer for the villagers. So, when it rains, it becomes unmanageable,” said Pem Lham, another resident.
Although the dzongkhag constructed a new septic tank recently, it is also connected to the sewer for the residents. And people complain that their septic tanks get filled up within no time.
“Recently, wastewater from Tendrelthang overflowed into my land,” said Nim Dem.
According to the district administration, they are studying the feasibility of constructing a road and mending the drains and sewers. Until then, people there will continue to carry everything on their backs and live amid overflowing sewers.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Chayku
