Phub Dem | Paro

Local government leaders in Paro have been mulling over relocating the workshops and fuel depot in the town to another place but with little success.

The relocation issue was discussed in the dzongkhag tshogdu (DT) for the third time. However, the decision was deferred to the next session.

A committee was formed to study the viability of an area for the relocation of the workshops during the recent DT.

DT Chairman Tshering Dorji said that the relocation of the workshop was deemed necessary because it was unattractive and there were risks of fire. “Moreover, the effluent from the workshop draining into the river was harmful.”

Paro Thromde Thuemi Deki said that the workshop owners agreed to relocate their units with a condition that the new location should be between Shaba and Lamgong gewogs.

There are 25 workshops in Paro today, of which two are in rented structures.

She said that the thromde identified an area near Shaba football ground after exploring numerous potential areas.

The committee will study the viability of the area and present its report in the next session. The committee comprises of gups of Shaba, Shari and Lamgong gewogs,  dzongkhag thromde representative, environment officer, land record officer, district engineer, and forestry official. 

Paro’s Bhutan Oil Distributor (BOD) depot is also located at the heart of the town. The area, according to the residents was risky and had to be relocated.

However, Deki said that the fuel depot was on lease land and the lease agreement was renewed in 2018.