𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

…𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏, 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉

By Tenzin Eden

In 2017, Dorokha Drungkhag under Samtse Dzongkhag took the proactive step of requesting the Dzongkhag to conduct a feasibility study for the development of the town area within the Drungkhag. However, there was no land available, as the present town area was under Dorokha Lower Secondary School. Therefore, the shopkeepers and residents applied for land kidu, and they received land kidu to develop the town by 2023. After careful consideration, the study presented two potential locations: the existing ‘Bazaar Dara’ area and ‘Thakitaar.’ Due to its central location and rich history as a thriving business hub, the current site (Bazaar Dara) was chosen for the proposed township development.

The total area covered is 7 acres, and there are 17 plots. Dismantling work has started and must be completed by the end of June. Many have already begun dismantling. The Drungkhag Administration, Samtse, has given permission for temporary stays until the construction of the new buildings is completed, with an initial approval period of one year. New construction work will start this July and must be finished within two years. Out of 17 plots, 10 are kidu plots.

Following this decision, extensive data collection and a topographical survey were completed by 2020. Subsequently, the Dorokha Action Area Plan was set in motion. An official from the Department of Human Settlement, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), said, “The primary objectives of the Dorokha Action Area Plan are to rejuvenate the historic business town of Dorokha Drungkhag by ensuring appropriate plot allocation and enhancing accessibility, thereby fostering a safe and livable built environment.” “A key aspect of the plan is the establishment of a central business area, serving as a vital link to all three gewogs of the Drungkhag,” he added.

Kinley Dorji, Drungpa, Dorokha, said, “The area designated for the Dorokha satellite town appears to be small, congested, and situated in an unsuitable location. However, once the satellite town is developed, residents will benefit greatly from facilities such as street lighting, a market shed, bus parking, and water drainage, black-topped roads, and new buildings.” He also shared his concern over the selected area being congested and not a good idea for town development; moreover, there is no scope for future expansion due to the limited space available. Additionally, constructing outlets for water drainage and sewerage poses a significant challenge because of the numerous communities living below the satellite town.

The Assistant Engineer (AE) said, “We don’t have any specific issues, just difficulty convincing people. However, we had plenty of time to conduct surveys and other tasks. For the upcoming fiscal year, we have proposed a budget of Nu.16 million to develop the town area, construct roads and drainage.” He said that all the structures adhere to Bhutanese quality control standards, considering factors like earthquakes, lightning, thunderstorms, and windstorms. Additionally, they will approve private buildings if they meet the criteria.

To facilitate planned physical development and ensure the implementation of proper infrastructure, the plan includes comprehensive guidelines and development control regulations. Throughout the planning process, multiple rounds of public and stakeholder consultations were conducted, including personalized one-on-one sessions. This inclusive approach aimed to gather feedback and insights from the community, both on the overall plan and their individual plot preferences. All comments and suggestions were meticulously noted and integrated into the final plans, ensuring a comprehensive and community-driven approach to township development.

The resident of Dorokha who is a civil servant shed light on the transformative benefits anticipated from the forthcoming infrastructure development. He said that the development plan promises better infrastructure and improved accessibility to individual plots, crucial aspects currently lacking in the existing town. And kidu plots, ranging from 1.4 to 4.8 decimal, are set to be organized more efficiently, facilitating smoother planning and construction processes. “A comprehensive sewerage network plan, alongside meticulously planned street lighting, drainage networks, and streetscape enhancements, will redefine the urban landscape,” he added.

These enhancements aim to not only improve functionality but also to elevate the aesthetic appeal of the area. Furthermore, the planned development endeavors to harmonize with the existing natural landscape and topography, promising a picturesque streetscape that seamlessly blends with its surrounding. Beyond infrastructure improvements, the development paves the way for the establishment of a bustling business hub. This hub aims to cater to all gewogs within the Drungkhag, fostering economic connections with larger towns like Samtse and Phuntsholing. Additionally, it aims to revive historic town or marketplaces, harnessing economic potential from visitors and tourists alike.

Tshering Wangdi, a former Gup and resident from Gakling, shared his perspective on the new town planning with sincerity. He expressed, “I bought land in Dorokha and have resided there since 1985. Just three years ago, I built my new house, but now, I am faced with the inevitable decision to dismantle it.” Despite the inconvenience, he emphasized his willingness to embrace the change if it leads to a significantly improved town. Wangdi stressed the importance of having a developed town over none at all, indicating his support for the upcoming changes. Upon learning about the development plans, the community’s reaction was one of curiosity and eagerness. Residents are keen to step into the new town and witness its transformation firsthand, anticipating positive developments and progress.

Pema, a local shopkeeper and resident of Dograp, shared his perspective on the town’s forthcoming development, emphasizing its potential to enhance opportunities for local businesses. He remarked, “From my individual standpoint, I firmly believe this development will be far better than the present situation. For any business to thrive, there needs to be an attractive place and a market. We will have the chance to expand our reach beyond the confines of our current market, selling our products to consumers in other parts of Dzongkhags,” He highlights the current challenges faced by them, describing it as “quite congested” and lamenting its lack of recognition as a town among many people.
With the community eagerly anticipating positive developments and progress, Dorokha Drungkhag’s development vision promises to transform the area into a bustling business hub, fostering economic connections with larger towns and reviving historic marketplaces.