The Phuentshogling Township Development Project is expected to complete its Zone A next year as planned. The project is three to four percent behind schedule currently and its completion also depends on the relocation of Amochhu temporary shelter, which currently occupies 17 acres of the project site.
The project is in its second stage of developing urban infrastructure in Zone A which spans 160 acres.
The works in the current phase include the installation of the water treatment plant and distribution network, sewage treatment plant, construction of pedestrian bridges, and supply power and telecommunication network among others.
Today, 43 per cent of the works are complete in Zone A. The project is facing challenges due to the rainy weather and is behind schedule by a few per cent.
According to the project officials, the risk of flooding from Amochhu is a major challenge. They said the flood in June last year cost the project Nu 3.5 M to clear the debris in six drains inside the project area.
Officials added that such disasters with huge costs are set to continue every year if the government does not intervene and stabilise the hillside and protect downstream developments.
In addition, the project’s completion remains uncertain if the Amochhu temporary shelter constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic remains within the project area.
According to the project officials, this would mean concessionary loans received from the Asian Development Bank for the project will remain unutilised and the development of the area in the future and the source of funding remains uncertain.
“The temporary shelter still occupies around 11 per cent of the project area. Unfortunately, we could not develop that area, infrastructure such as roads and water supply could not be developed in that particular area. This means the overall project completion will not be completed if the shelter is not removed,” said Kamal Dhakal, project director at the Construction Development Corporation Limited.
He added that the main motive of the project is to mitigate flood risk and also create space for town expansion.
“Phuentshogling Township Development Project was planned to protect Phuentshogling town from flood from Amochhu. Before the project, areas along the river and the city were under threat. While doing the river training works, we reclaimed around 160 acres of land on which infrastructural works are ongoing.”
The first phase which focused on river training, and embankment has been completed. The planned township has four zones, A, B, C and D.
Works on Zone A are scheduled to be completed in May next year.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Phub Gyem
