According to the Thromde, construction works have to be stopped from 9 pm to 8 am but residents in Thimphu are living with the noise pollution from construction which stretches to late-night depriving them of the much-needed rest after a tiring day.
It was resolved not to allow late-night construction works during the Thimphu Thromde Tshogde in August. This was decided in response to a number of complaints they received on late-night disturbances. Thromde is said to have notified the residents about penalizing those who do not abide by the rule. The situation, however, has been the same.
“We do get disturbed at night due to construction noises. Sometimes we wake up in the middle of the night due to loud noises and we get frustrated as well. It gets difficult to go back to sleep,” said Kezang Dekar, a resident of Thimphu.
“The sounds of the machines are loud and it disturbs a lot when we sleep. It’s even more disturbing when we have children at home. And when we get sick, the children won’t sleep and the labourers shout a lot when they work so it disturbs a lot,” added Kumari Dhakal, also a resident of Thimphu.
According to Thromde officials, they have been informally receiving complaints regarding this matter especially during examination time of the schools.
Although there are no specified penalties for those failing to comply with the rule made by Thromde, the Thrompon said residents can complain to the police.
“To every complaint we receive, we told them to inform the police because we already have a rule and notified the public too. Police will take actions for not abiding by the rule and regulations. Still, if people do not listen, we will take other actions. Since thromde gives permission for the construction and so if people do not listen, we don’t have other options than to cut electricity and water connections,” said Kinlay Dorjee, the Thimphu Thrompon.
He added that everyone should live in harmony and should not be selfish and one should consider and respect the residents living around them.
Today, there are over 600 ongoing constructions in the capital.
Kinley Dem
