The Chubu Tshachu in Punakha does not have proper facilities like toilets, streetlights, and electricity in some areas. Visitors are lamenting the fact that they are made to pay rental charges despite the hot spring lacking basic amenities.
Visitors to the popular hot spring in Punakha say they are uncomfortable and frustrated at the lack of these facilities.
“It’s very difficult to get a house. So, we have to stay in tents and there is no light in the tents. A toilet is also another issue,” said Pema Tshomo, a visitor.
“We have to pay Nu 250 as rent but there are no facilities. Have to go a bit far to use the toilet, so it is difficult for the elders,” said Sangdag, another visitor.
“It’s very difficult to get a house, so we have to stay in tents. And in the evening there is no electricity along the path towards the tshachu,” said Chimi Om, a visitor.
The manager of the hot spring said that steps have been taken to address these problems. Managing waste is another concern at Tshachu.
The government has built about ten apartment units. So, I am planning to provide one toilet for each of the two units. The construction of five toilets is almost complete,” said Tshewang Nidup, the manager of Chubu tshachu.
The Toewang Gup said the remoteness of the location is one of the reasons for the lack of infrastructure.
In the past, the Tshachu was taken care of by the gewog. But then we handed it over to the district. Later, the district leased the Tshachu to an individual. So, people complain to the gewog about the lack of infrastructure. I feel that it has to be maintained with necessary infrastructure,” said Ugyen Karma, Toewang Gup.
The hot spring manager said planned developments at the Tshachu site would be carried out in a phase-wise manner.
Kezang Thinley, Punakha
Edited by Sherub Dorji
