Talks of transforming Gola town in Samtse into an urban town have existed since 2013. However, the works have been progressing at a snail’s pace over the last few years. With half of the plot owners yet to start their building constructions, the transformation of Gola town is expected to take a few more years.
Works to upgrade Gola town in Sibsoo began in 2016. A few plot owners started constructing buildings as soon as they received their thrams in 2015. Of the total 76 plots, 52 plot owners were supposed to complete their two-storied buildings by 2021.
However, only 17 buildings are complete while two are still under construction.
“As per the plan, all construction works should have been complete by 2021. Besides the blacktopping of the town’s road, there were also plans to construct a children’s park and footpaths as part of the transformation of the town area,” said Namgay Dorji, Gola town Tshogpa.
A few plot owners said limited income and unavailability of labour and raw materials due to the pandemic delayed the completion of the infrastructures.
Ranjit Gurung, a resident of Gola Town said, “Due to the pandemic, many of our businesses have been severely affected and we could not earn much income in the last few years. Since we don’t have enough money, work is getting delayed. We would be grateful if government help us with loans and other support.”
Considering the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Samtse Dzongkhag Municipality until now has not pressured the plot owners. But recently the municipality office has asked all plot owners to resume and speed up their construction works.
The office is expected to start works to blacktop the one-kilometre Gola town internal road, construction of a footpath, street lights, and waste management work in the coming financial year.
Although it is not known when exactly the Gola town was established, many residents believe that it existed before Samtse town.
Samtse town was established in the 1960s. Located at the heart of five gewogs of Tashichhoeling Drungkhag, the town also attracts visitors from other gewogs of Yoeseltse and Sangngagchogling.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Sangay Chezom
