3.1.7 Industries in Gelephu

Gelephu has always been primarily a commercial or market town. Its proximity to India by shear virtue of its location and on the importance of the place as a junction of major links from north, south and west has been its asset. It truly acts as a Gateway to the Royal Kingdom. In the past though efforts were made for the development of Gelephu, its potential as a market or trade town has not been explored at the fullest. It becomes very important for the development agency to trace the attempts in the past, learn from the drawbacks of the region and propose wisely for the future.

The existing industrial estate in the town was conceptualized in the year 1970 and for this purpose 80.12 hectares of land was acquired. The ‘1986-2000 Urban Development Plan for Gelephu’ took advantage of this land and proposed an industrial estate to the west of the national highway to Trongsa. About 35% of the total urban land, equivalent to the land reserved for residential development, was allocated for industrial development in the town. This step was taken to promote industrial activity in the area. Non-confirming landuses like the Food Corporation of Bhutan and Dzongkhag ware-houses were proposed to be relocated in the industrial area. But in the process of development the industrial estate was proposed to be shifted outside the town limit. In the present industrial estate about four hectares of land each was given for the construction of a middle secondary school, and for the proposed bus terminal. Development of a service center and play areas with the industrial estate is under consideration.

Presently the Army Welfare Project, the major industry in the town, occupies an area of around four hectares of land in the industrial estate, which is leased from the Ministry of Trade and Industries. The industry creates an employment opportunity for about 79 permanent and 37 temporary workers of the area. Water for the industry is directly supplied from the Pelrithang water treatment plant. The products manufactured in the industry primarily include liquors of premium brands and the amount of products manufactured extends up to 800 cases per day. A new production unit is under construction within the premises of the industry and it is expected that the production would increase up to 4000 cases per day when completed. Presently, solid waste from the industry is dumped and burned along the banks of the Aipole Chhu, and the proposal towards recycling the solid waste generated is under consideration. Minor provision for workers’ housing near the industry’s campus is under consideration.

Other service and timber based industries like Namcha Automobiles, Tenzin Automobiles, Gyeltshen Sawmill and Lhaki Wood Industry are present in the town. There were industries like the Brick and Match Factory in the past which have closed down. An ambitious proposal of a new industrial estate near Jigmeling, between Sarpang and Gelephu is under implementation. For this purpose about 1500 acres of land is identified and the survey work is under progress. The Master Plan for the proposal is expected to be implemented over the next five years. This initiation by the Royal Government is admirable and will definitely catalyze the economy of the region.

3.1.8 Housing

Housing has always been a major concern for urban planners. The need for housing is ever increasing on account of growing rural-urban migration. According to the ‘1986-2000, Urban Development Plan for Gelephu’ in 1986 there were 932 housing units, with an average occupancy of 4.69 people per unit.

Based on the population projections for the year 2000, the ratio of accommodation was worked out as Government Housing (32.8%), Private Housing (52.5%) and Labor Housing (14.7%). This accounted to 1685 total units in year 2000, out of which 753 units remained to be constructed.

A basic analysis of the existing housing pattern is based on the findings of the ‘Pre-feasibility study for Gelephu, January 2003’ by the Department of Urban Development and Housing. According to the study Gelephu appears to have a balance between the housing supply and present demand. In Gelephu there is about 26% Ownership, 58% Tenancy and 8% Government provided housing. 13% of the population lives in Class I and II, 29% in Class III, 29% have flats, 25% have combined house with shop and 4% dwell in hutments.