Connectivity: Bumthang’s first dzongkhag tshogdu (DT) yesterday decided to explore ways to start bus services within its gewogs as mandated by its annual performance agreement (APA) 2015-2016.

The dzongkhag administration was actually supposed to start the service in the last financial year.

Bumthang’s revenue officer, Kinzang Wangchuk, said the government instructed the dzongkhag to start a bus service within its gewogs and therefore the plan was included in the APA.

He said the dzongkhag administration conducted meetings where gewog administrative officers and stakeholders took part. “We completed ground works like calculating the distance between the gewogs. Bus stops were identified,” he said.

The dzongkhag has written to the gewogs to look for people willing to start bus services in the gewogs. “It was also advertised through mainstream media but no one showed interest,” he said.

Tang’s gup, Ugyen Nima said that the DT members need some time to decide. “We will talk to the people and see if anyone is interested to start a bus service.”

Ura’s gup, Khandu Wangchuk said that a businessman from Chamkhar town started a bus service in the gewogs sometime in 2009 but discontinued it after suffering losses.

Chokhor Gup Pema Dengyel said that starting a bus service in the dzongkhag will greatly benefit the people but no one is ready to operate the service.

Bumthang Dzongdag Phub Tshering told the DT members to take time and explore if anyone is interested to provide the service.

The DT also elected Chumey’s gup, Jambay as  chairman and the Thromde Ngotshab Ugyen Sangay as vice chairman.

All four gups of the dzongkhag signed APAs with the dzongdag.

Nima Wangdi | Jakar

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