The development of Paro town is of paramount importance for the country as Paro represents one of the gateways to Bhutan. Paro hast the potential to develope due to its wide valley with the Pachhu meandering through the heart of the town.

The major fire breakout in the early 1980's gave way to the development of Tshongdue town. Tshongdue town is developing in three phases. Phase I & II has been already planned and implemented. In line with phase I & II and to fulfill the increasing demand of the burgeoning population of Paro, the phase III plan has been prepared. Initially, the plan was discussed with Dzongkhag representatives. It was then presented to the members of the National Consultative Committee on Human Settlements on 18th June 2002 in order to seek approval and to accelerate the process of implementation. After thorough discussion the plan was approved. The basic infrastructure shall be provided under the World Bank Project Funding through the Bhutan Urban Development Project.

I am extremely glad to extend my acknowledgement and thanks to the members of the National Consultative Committee on Human Settlement for the support. And I extend my heartiest appreciation to the planning team involved in the preparation of the plan under the guidance of the Sr. Town Planner.

The Ministry of Communications would like to acknowledge the representative of the town committee and the Dzongkhag Administration, Paro for the full support and cooperation during the preparation of the plan. I would also like to thank Director General, Department of Urban Development and Housing for his initiative in the preparation of this plan.

(Leki Dorji)
Chairman
National Consultative Committee on Human Settlements