Kelzang Wangchuk | Jomotshangkha

Although Jomotshangkha town in Samdrupjongkhar caters to three gewogs, the town lacks basic amenities like public toilet facilities.

Without the facility, visitors have to request shops and restaurant owners to relieve themselves or run into the bushes.

A civil servant, Pema, who was on an official tour in Jomotshangkha, said going to hotels just to use the restroom without buying anything was not easy.

He said it is challenging for the visitors coming to Jomotshangkha, especially women. “Not all shopkeepers and hoteliers allow us to use their washrooms.”

Visitors said it would help both the visitors and those doing business in the town if the drungkhag administration could construct at least three public toilets.

Residents said that the lack of a proper toilet facility is affecting the town’s image.

“A public toilet is more important for visitors than to residents here,” a businessman said.

Residents said it would help the drungkhag administration generate some budget if the drungkhag could construct public toilets and charge Nu 5 or Nu 10.

Jomotshangkha drungpa, Lamdra Wangdi, agreed there is a need for public toilets in the town, but he said there is no plan for it in the current town planning.

He said it’s also challenging to get a budget and also all lands in the town belong to private.