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Neden Dorje
SUNDRUZONGKAR – When the SandruZongkal-Trashigaon highway was widened, the small town of Narpon was seen as an obstacle. Most of the buildings did not meet the required distance of 50 feet from the road, which led to discussions on demolishing these buildings.
However, the shopkeepers agreed to vacate the town if Tsongkhapa could provide them with a favorable location. The relocation plan was cancelled when His Majesty the King ordered Narpon to be designated as a satellite town during his visit in 2014. Narpon, which covers two acres, is home to about 15 shopkeepers who were given kidu plots.
Narphung’s makeshift structures sit along the road and are a frequent stopover. Small shops sell a variety of local products such as bamboo products, cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.
Half of the town belongs to the Gomdar ethnic group and the other half to the Orong ethnic group.
Gondal Gup Kaljun said residents were happy they had not been relocated. “People are very grateful to His Majesty the King,” he said. “As a stopover, they are doing a brisk business selling organic products in Narphung.”
The Sandrudzongka government instructed landowners to start construction on the allocated land. However, more than a year after receiving the land, As the property ownership certificates were not obtained, the owners of 15 plots of land were unable to start construction. Residents requested an extension of the deadline, saying that this year was not an auspicious year to start construction.
Business owner Gerchu La, 64, expressed reservations about starting construction. “I have gathered construction materials and am ready to start work, but I am waiting for the bad year to end,” he said.
Another plot owner, Cheki, said her construction will depend on the readiness of her neighbours as they will have to build conjoined buildings based on the size of the plot.
“Most residents are ready to gather “Our biggest concern is water shortage because we need enough water to build houses,” she said.
Gup Karchung said the water shortage problem will be solved as the two sects have conducted surveys and allocated budget for water supply.
Tsongkhapa officials said two-storey houses could replace makeshift shacks.
“We have completed all the formalities such as obtaining approval from the Land Council, public consultation and planning. Now it is up to the owner to start building the house.”
Narpon Town along the Zhaxigang-Sandru Zongkar route is ancient and traditional The road began in the late 1960s as a trading centre and a rest stop for travellers. The town is vulnerable to disasters, especially fire.
Residents have become aware of this and are demanding safety measures.
“We have been hit by the disaster in several towns including Bumthang and Vamlong. We are aware of the disaster,” said a resident.
Most of the buildings are old and some are vulnerable to fire and other natural disasters.
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