Trongsa town might have its first-ever master plan soon. The news comes after the Agriculture Minister in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, asked the district administration to draft a master plan and submit it to the government in the coming months.
If the master plan materialises, it will guide the urban planners toward sound town development.
Trongsa town is centrally located and en route East-West National highway. The Agriculture Minister said the town has a huge scope of becoming a major urban centre like Thimphu and Paro.
The Minister represents the district’s Nubi-Tangsibji Constituency in the parliament.
Lyonpo also talked about several urban developmental activities, which were in the pipeline since four years ago.
However, these projects haven’t made much progress so far. They are the construction of a multi-sports complex, multi-storied parking and a ring road at Ueling to connect the Trongsa-Bumthang highway.
Among others are the extension of the town at Sherabling and the development of the industrial areas at Kewathang.
“If we can have one great plan for the town development, Trongsa can become the country’s fifth national throm. Nearby places like Dorji Goenpa and Ueling can be included under the town area,” said the Agriculture Minister, Yeshey Penjor.
Lyonpo said the government will invite international urban developers if the district can’t manage to arrange within its manpower capacity.
“Ueling can be converted into a tourist spot. Sherabling can be an institutional town as there are schools and hospitals. There should be a sports centre along the Thruepangchhu. The present town area must remain a business hub. Kewathang and Dorji Goenpa will be identified as the natural production zones,” added Lyonpo.
According to the residents, the town hasn’t seen any significant development in the last 15 years. Hence, an urban planning document like the master plan brings hope to them that the town might undergo a grand makeover.
As of now, Trongsa town has about 100 business operators. Meanwhile, the construction of a multi-storied car park near the farmers’ market in the town area has been deferred due to budget constraints.
Passang, Trongsa
Edited by Pema Lhaden
