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Trashigang
- Thimphu : From east to west
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Bhutan's
Economy: Tourism |
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Bhutan Information |
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East-West-Highway:
Cafeterias and restrooms along the lateral highway
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One
of the most common complaints of travellers plying the 546 kilometre
lateral route, that links Thimphu to Trashigang via central
Bhutan, is the lack of eateries and restrooms along the highway.
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travellers carry packed meals and relieve themselves behind bushes and
below the road on the journey. Passengers of public transport services
travel for hours at a stretch before they get to an eatery most of which
do not meet required hygiene standards.
The
tourism department is now looking at building cafeterias with restrooms spaced out at two-hour drive intervals along the east-west highway up to
the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar and also along the Thimphu-Phuentsholing
highway. |
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According
to tourism officials there was always a need for cafeterias and restrooms
along the lateral route but now the need was greater with the increasing
number of tourists and Bhutanese travellers frequently plying the route.
The
tourism department has already set up three restrooms at Dochula, Sengor,
between Bumthang and Mongar, and one at Zalaphangma on Mongar - Trashigang
highway.
"We
have finalised to build 10 cafeterias with restrooms along the lateral
highway and have more in the plan," said the head of the services division,
Kunzang Norbu. He said the department had a budget of about Nu. 3 million
for each cafeteria.
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Shop near Wangduephodrang
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cafeterias will be single storeyed, traditional Bhutanese style built with
timber, stone and mud. Cafeterias with spacious lawns were an added
advantage since they could be developed into campsites for tourists.
While
the department would set up some of the services, it is encouraging private
sector people to build such services on their own.
"We
will assist them in terms of drawing, designing and supervising the works
to ensure that the quality is maintained," the infrastructure development
officer, Rinzin Jamtsho reported. |
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Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
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cafeterias built by the department would be given to the local community
to manage and they would be charged a nominal fee by the department.
"Besides
creating employment, we are also opening up avenues for local communities
to provide meals and sell their vegetables and dairy products," Kunzang
Norbu said.
The
department would provide training to members of the local community to
manage the cafeterias, maintaining proper hygiene and preparing particular
cuisines. |
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While
setting up the facilities may not be much of a problem for private entrepreneurs
already having land along the highways, Kunzang Norbu said that they would
acquire lands from the government on long-term lease and in turn lease
it out to interested entrepreneurs without land.
"Within
a years time several new cafeterias should be up and running along the
east-west and Thimphu to Phuentsholing highway," said Kunzang Norbu.
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| Contributed
by Samten Wangchuk, Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper, 2006 |
| Information on Bhutan |
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