Construction works at the new town in Lhuentse is yet to begin. Except for the steel railings and some stones piled up, the site is barren without any infrastructures. Shopkeepers who were allotted plots at the new town site say they are yet to receive their house drawings approved by the Ministry of Works and Human Settlements.
The site development of the new town at Phaling was started in 2007 with the help of the World Bank. In 2009 under the command of His Majesty the King, shopkeepers were given Sa- Thram or land registration certificate.
People initially designed three storied houses. But this was not accepted.Later people approached Prime Minister during the midterm review. They were asked to build two storied concrete house. Thus, people opted for the later design and then forwarded tothe Ministry of Works and Human Settlement for further approvals.
Earlier this month out of the 28 shopkeepers,about 7 of them have got their drawings approved. Fourteen still remained with the Ministry for verification.
Karma Choden is a shopkeeper and owns the first plot at the new town site. Her drawings were approved. “The drawing and its approvals took a lot of time. We don’t know how to make and have to depend on the engineers and the architect from Thimphu. Even after we found the experts we had to get further approvals from the respective authorities. We had to make about 3 to 4 drawings before it was approved. And now everything is finalized. So we will begin our Salang this week.”
Unlike Karma Choden, Dechen Zangmo, a shopkeeper is waiting for her drawing to be approved by the Works and Human Settlement Ministry. “We have not started any work because the drawing is not finalised. It is still in Thimphu and has not reached here. Those who have got the approvals are beginning to construct. I already have stones piled up at the site since 5 year back,” she added.
Meanwhile,Dzongkhag not having a single architect was cited as the main reason for delay in approving the housing design and drawings. The Dzongda, Tshering Kezang, said the process took a lot of time. “First Dzongkhag have to look into it and we have to forward it to the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement. This takes time. The Ministry also looks into the drawing of the construction of water and electricity lines.”
The Dzongda said that only 7 out of the 28 drawings have been approved so far. “We hope the 7 of them will start constructing soon.”
