Nima | Gelephu

Vendors selling garments near the vegetable market shed in Gelephu town will be out of business for months, as the thromde is yet to identify them a place to continue their business.

The vendors were asked to move out of the present location, as the area is identified for construction of a two-storied vegetable market building. The construction is expected to begin within this week.

Thromde officials say the construction of a two-storied vegetable market shed is in line with the thromde structural plan to have better vegetable market shed. The current vegetable market would be turned into an open-air theatre.

Gelephu thrompon, Tikaram Kafley, said thromde is planning to establish a better infrastructure to help the garment vendors. “We are planning to provide them with a better space and infrastructure. There is a need for bigger space, considering the crowd the business gathers.”

He said thromde is planning to allow the garment vendors to sell within the town area.

“We would be exploring some secondary option until we find a space and come up with infrastructure and facilities to relocate them.”

According to the thrompon, thromde might charge the vendors a minimal annual or monthly fee after they are relocated to a new place with better infrastructure and space.

Meanwhile, vendors are not happy.

A vendor, Choney Zangmo said the previous thromde administration also promised them similar support when they were asked to move to the present location. “The support never came through.”

She said most vendors depend on the business for livelihood and to sustain the family. “It would be difficult for us to sustain if we have to stop our business.”

There are 22 women selling garments.

Another vendor, Budhi Maya Rai is rushing to clear her stocks within a week. “I am selling at a much cheaper price.

She said the thromde did not give them enough time to even clear their stocks.

With the pandemic leaving her husband jobless, she is worried if she could afford to send her children to school when the market would be dismantled for the construction. “It is stressful. I hope we would be given another place.”