Finding an apartment has become difficult in most of the towns across the country, as the housing crunch grows. But in Zhemgang, it is a different story. The house owners are worried about the increasing number of vacant apartments yearly.
Every year about four apartments are vacated and the trend has been noticed since 2017. Today, about 14 apartments including two shops have been unoccupied for about six months now.
“It’s mainly because of the population. When there was news of the establishment of a university and Chamkharchu project here, people started to construct buildings. But now, with the hydropower project shelved many buildings are empty,” Tashi Choden, the Thromde Ngotshap, said.
“So many new houses were built but now they are all vacant. It is a problem. We would be grateful if the government could do away with the government housing scheme,” Sangay Tshewang, a house owner, said.
“There are very few people living here. Even if we get tenants, rent has to be low since there are too many houses,” Dema, another house owner, said.
Today, there are about 260 houses registered under the municipality and ten houses are new, constructed after 2016. The town’s population is just over 3000.
Landlords in Zhemgang said they are hopeful that government might bring in mega projects and institutions in the dzongkhag.
