People in Toongkudenba village in Panbang Dungkhag under Zhemgang have started constructing houses without the final go-ahead from the government.
Right after the decision to extend Panbang town till Toongkudenba came through in 2013, the locals had bought construction materials.
However, the final approval never came from the government.
“We don’t think the new town will materialise,” said Bumpa of Toongkudenba. He said the current homes have become dilapidated. “We decided to construct our houses without waiting for the government’s approval.”
Bumpa also said the construction materials they bought couple of years ago are getting ruined.
Another local, Tenzin Chaida said they were told to wait for the government’s directives. “It was becoming too late for us.”
Panbang’s Dungpa Therchung said a detailed survey was carried by the Works and Human Settlement Ministry and the structural design is currently under process. The Dungpa said proper planning is necessary for a new town, for the long term benefit of the people and communities.
“People think we are going to shift Panbang Township to Toongkudenba, which is not true. We decided to develop Toongkudenba area as a main commercial hub and the present Panbang town will have government offices, residential buildings. We have also issued Lag Thram to the land owners.
Once the town extension works are complete, Panbang is expected to become a commercial hub for central and eastern Bhutan.
