Neten Dorji

Samdrupjongkhar—Landowners in Samdrupcholing drungkhag are waiting for loans to commence construction to kickstart the development of the new town relocated from Tshangchhuthama.

All business owners from Tshangchhuthama were relocated to the new town two years ago because the old town was deemed unsafe from natural disasters. However, only a few shopkeepers could start construction. About 31 businesses in the core town area have received land ownership as kidu.

One of the residents, Resh Bahadur Darjee, said that although it has been about seven years since they received land kidu in the new township, they have not been able to start construction as they have no access to loans.

“We have been told that the moratorium on housing will be lifted by the banks,” he said. “However, nothing has happened on the ground.”

Resh Brd Darjee has completed the construction of two slabs in the new town area and is waiting for a loan to be approved. It has been over a year since he applied for a housing loan of 0.8 million to complete the two-storied building.

Meanwhile, residents are waiting for the municipality to provide them with basic infrastructure like clean water connectivity, proper drainage system, streetlight and parking space.

Samdrupcholing’s business representative, Tshering Dargay, said that most of the people are waiting for the approval of housing loans to begin construction.

“I think there will be progress in developing the town if the housing loan is approved,” he said, adding that the Nyera Amari hydroelectric project is an important project for the town. “Gyelsung project would also boost the local economy.”

Tshering Dargey said that only a few people have constructed houses in the town. “Of 31 kidu recipients, only eight of them have completed constructing houses.”

However, not everybody is in a rush.  Some locals are convinced that there could be changes in the future if the Nyera Amari hydroelectric project starts in the region.

A villager, Yadunath Tiwari said that the hydropower project will be the catalyst for the town to grow. “We have Nyera Amari hydropower coming in the future. Samdrupcholing has a bright future, we just have to wait.”

Samdrupcholing Drungpa, Sangay Phuntsho, said that the water shortage would be resolved soon as the contractor has completed the water treatment plant and water distribution network.

“Once the contractor gets the filtration parts, we are ready to distribute a clean water supply.  We have also proposed a budget of Nu 60 million to build a stormwater drainage system and sewerage system in the town.”

Samdrupcholing town today is the centre for four gewogs –Pemathang,Phuntshothang, Samrang, and Martshala. Until recently, the town just had few hotels.