Nganglam has been proposed as dzongkhag thromde, and Denchi as yenlag thromde

Thromde: It has been proposed that Nganglam dungkhag become a dzongkhag thromde, and Denchi, where the new Pemagatshel dzong is currently under construction in Pemagatshel, become a yenlag thromde.

The proposal comes after the government recently deliberated the declaration of dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes, as a part of the local government (amendment) bill of 2014, in all 20 dzongkhags.

With the aim to promote regionally balanced development, the government directed the ministry of works and human settlement (MoWHS) to initiate preparatory works for declaration of dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes, as stated in the letter submitted to the dzongkhag.

The letter said Nganglam was proposed as dzongkhag thromde, because it is the largest urban centre in the dzongkhag and has potential for future development.  It has also been proposed as a regional hub.

Nganglam and Denchi in Shumar gewog were chosen, following a letter issued by the works and human settlement ministry to each of the dzongkhags to prepare for the declaration of dzongkhag and yenlag thromdes in the next Parliament session.

After a public consultation meeting held on Tuesday, the preparation of thromde and yenlag began yesterday.

The dzongkhag and dungkhag officials have begun preparation of a draft boundary map from the Dungsam cement factory in Chengkari, located about 13km from the present Nganglam town until Rinchenthang, next to the border with India.

The new dzongkhag thromde will also extend to Tanzinma and Satsalu villages in Norbugang gewog.

The consultation meeting was held to inform landowners on the thromde plan, create awareness and also to get feedback.  Most agreed with the plan.

Pemagatshel dzongda, dzongkhag officials, head of various agencies, institutions and other relevant stakeholders attended the consultation meeting, too.

Nganglam dungpa Nima Gyeltshen said they would also review the draft proposal, public consultation and boundary marking by the dzongkhag.

“Residential and census population count has also begun,” he said, adding that, after the entire preparation proposal is completed, it would be submitted to MoWHS for verification and finalisation before submitting to Parliament.

The tentative proposed thromde area covers about 1,829 acres in Nganglam and about 80 acres in Denchi.

The dungpa said Nganglam was chosen as a potential town as per thromde rules 2011, which requires a population of at least 10,000 and be the largest town in the dzongkhag, and elements of future expansion scope, commercial, industrial, institution significance and road connectivity, among others.

“Right now, we’re only to prepare the draft to be presented to the Parliament, so the structural plan and master plan would come much later after Parliament approves. But for now, the preparation is going well,” said the dungpa.

Meanwhile, there is already a plan for a new Rinchenthang township, but it will have to wait until the dzongkhag thromde is approved.

Nganglam is about 115km from Pemagatshel via the Tsebar-Mukuri-Durungri feeder road that joins the Nganglam-Gyalpoizhing highway.

Residents shared that it was too early to comment if the dzongkhags thromde would come through, but for many, it would mean they would have to pay urban tax, once approved.

“Hope the dzongkhag thromde will not take ages to implement, like the Rinchenthang township did,” said one.

By Yangchen C Rinzin, Nganglam 

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