Sherab Lhamo

The Tshongdue Local Area Plan (LAP) in Paro, which is set to start from January next year, will transform Paro into a sustainable, urban town with its cultural landscape and natural heritage intact.

The LAP, a critical component of the Paro Valley Development Plan (PVDP) 2017, is expected to conclude by July 2025.

“The tendering process for the preparation of the Tshongdue LAP is currently underway,” said an official from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The plan comes in response to rapid urbanisation in areas like Tshongdue, where the absence of a structured framework has led to uncoordinated development and land fragmentation, undermining the broader vision of the PVDP.

The LAP will establish a detailed spatial framework to manage growth effectively. It includes provisions for infrastructure development, land readjustment, and the reservation of rights-of-way.

The plan aims to rationalise land use, improve urban infrastructure, enhance connectivity, create green spaces, and introduce urban design guidelines to ensure a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environment.

During the preparation process, the ministry will hold at least two public consultations and multiple stakeholder meetings to engage landowners and other key participants.

One of the key challenges in preparing the LAP is the need to prevent new construction and plot subdivisions during the planning process.

“This is crucial to avoid the need for constant revisions to the LAP as development occurs,” the official said. “To address this, the ministry has directed the Dzongkhag Administration to impose a moratorium on construction and plot subdivision until the LAP is finalised.”

Another obstacle is the potential resistance from landowners and stakeholders, who may oppose changes to their properties or development rights due to a lack of awareness about the long-term benefits of planned urban development.

To mitigate this, the ministry plans to conduct extensive public consultations and awareness campaigns to build consensus and highlight the public interest.

The Tshongdue LAP also aligns with the broader Thimphu-Paro Regional Strategy, translating high-level visions into actionable investment plans for future infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, the Paro International Airport expansion over 90 acres of land is included in the Bondey Local Area Plan.