Let alone an affordable one, people in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde continue to struggle to find an apartment. Many hoped the new Thrompon candidates would address the issue. However, the two candidates has no pledge to solve the housing crunch.
Today, the National Housing Development Corporation and the National Pension Provident Fund have 200 housing units here. It is still not enough. Jigme Choden, a teacher has been looking for an apartment for about six months now. After many failed attempts, she moved in with her friend.
She said, “I looked for a house here many times but did not get one. With the increasing population, there is a housing crunch. The other thing is that house rents are very high.”
“I was transferred here two months ago. My friends and family told me that it is difficult to get an apartment here. So, I didn’t even try to look for one. I am currently staying with my sister,” added another teacher Sangay Choden.
During a common forum the candidates did not mention anything about the housing crunch.
Thinley Namgay, one of the Thrompon Candidates said, “I think we need to talk to the National Housing Development Corporation and the National Pension Provident Fund about the issue. If I get elected, I will provide land to construct more houses to these organizations.”
Ugyen Wangchuk, the other thrompon Candidate said, “I have included this in my pledges. But for now, I am focusing on other important issues. If I get elected, I will look into solving this issue. It is my responsibility to solve the problem.”
“I will identify land and will seek support from NHDCL and NPPF to construct houses. Moreover, thromde has many private lands and I will encourage landowners to construct more houses,” he added.
The National Housing Development Corporation Limited with support from the Asian Development Bank is going to construct around 1,000 rental housing units in Nganglam, Phuentsholing, Samtse Jongkhar, Samtse, Thimphu and Trashi Yangtse.
The rental units are for low and middle-income government and private sector employees.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
