My comments on the SEA of Thimphu Structural Plan.
It is so nice that comments are sought from all walks of life through the internet and also with the brief in Kuensel. I wish if we do this for all of our plans and programs.
As a concerned citizen, resident of Thimphu and a consultant working in related field I would like to submit by views:
1. How do the Thromde consult stakeholders and have proper decision making? This is the biggest problem I foresee with your Thimphu Thromde system. There are some 120,000 residents current or even with a future scenario of 160,000/ 200,000 as considered. Consultants are usually done only with registered household heads which is some 12,000 individuals. Again, half of them do not attend such meetings or consultations- including my own family!
We have our Thromde Thuemis- Council Members. They are not provided with a proper office and system in place to communicate with their residents and voters. The system of coordination between Thromde residents and their Thuemis/Council members needs to be strengthen, including looking at ways to seek feedback from non-registered residents and building owners. We cannot go to their residences for complaints.
Dasho Thrompon is a one man Army, a good one for sure, serving the whole city, but we cannot assure that all future Thrompons will be so! So a proper coordination system should be in place.
The other issue is also that all staff in the Thromde are civil servants with bureaucratic working systems. They are definitely great individuals with super skills, but they get paid like any other civil servants and have neither the motivation nor the incentive to be creative or flexible or work hard.
We have our Thromde Thuemis- Council Members. They are not provided with a proper office and system in place to communicate with their residents and voters. The system of coordination between Thromde residents and their Thuemis/Council members needs to be strengthen, including looking at ways to seek feedback from non-registered residents and building owners. We cannot go to their residences for complaints.
Dasho Thrompon is a one man Army, a good one for sure, serving the whole city, but we cannot assure that all future Thrompons will be so! So a proper coordination system should be in place.
The other issue is also that all staff in the Thromde are civil servants with bureaucratic working systems. They are definitely great individuals with super skills, but they get paid like any other civil servants and have neither the motivation nor the incentive to be creative or flexible or work hard.
2. City core has become crowded given additional building floors and parking along the roads: In addition to this is the weak enforcement of regulation. Classic examples are conversion of basement parking spaces to commercial or habitable spaces. This not only further decrease parking spaces but also increase urban density. E.g., Basement Parking of T-Bank now converted to commercial space and letting customers to the Bank, Airline and TCell to park on the street!
3. Water Supply- Rightly pointed out. We need to immediately do a study to understand the whole system and where it is going wrong. Private-Public partnership is also a solution to be explored! Ofcourse, immediate solutions such as pumping from infiltration gallery (short-term measures) or even bore-wells are necessary.
4. Grey Water- It needs to be treated and plans and mechanisms are necessary. Not just letting it not go in the sewer is not enough recommendation.
5. Municipal Solid Waste Management-Programs and measures should be 4Rs NOT just 3Rs. Please do not forget the refuse aspect. The best way to handle waste is not generating any waste!
6. Sewerage and Septic Tanks: From other studies, we have found that Septic tanks are not designed, built or operated properly with soak pits. Adequate monitoring and supervision of construction and operation of septic tanks are necessary. This could be a cause of the water contamination in Thimphu.
7. Planning and Implementation: As far as I know, the implementation of the Structural Plan happens in a phase wise manner while the overall Environmental Clearances are provided at a go. I do not quite agree with this system. How can an internal road be considered to be approved whose demarcation was only tentative in the structural plan? There are water pipes, electric lines and new constructions that has happened in between the preparation of the plan and its implementation. I believe Thromde should consult local residents when such activities are implemented and public consent be sought for activities that are implemented 1-2 years after their plan in the Structural Plan.
8. Traffic congestion is also an increasing issue as remarked. We need to look at opening up new links. Perhaps a road behind the Traditional hospital from Zilukha road directly towards the National Animal Hospital etc are low cost options that can be explored.
9. Overall, perhaps the SEA recommendations should also have a long and short-term breakdown. Immediate actions and rectifications such as decongestion, enforcement of regulations and water needs immediate plans while some others maybe in the long term.
Chhimi Dorji
ChhimiD Consulting, Thimphu
Chimi6@gmail.com
ChhimiD Consulting, Thimphu
Chimi6@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment