Local leaders and community members in Trashiyangtse are intensifying their calls for enhanced socio-economic benefits from the ongoing Khorlochu Hydropower Project. As the project progresses, residents are urging for more substantial local engagement and preferential treatment to ensure that the community reaps significant advantages from the development.
Ngawang Dorji, a 58-year-old businessman from Trashiyangtse, voiced his concerns during a recent consultation meeting. “The project has assured us of job opportunities for the local population,” Dorji stated. “However, it is imperative that the project prioritizes hiring from the local community whenever possible.”
While commitments have been made to favor local residents in vehicle hiring, many in the community feel that these measures fall short of their expectations. Pema Dorji, a resident of Khamdang, highlighted the economic strain on local vehicle owners. “If the project prioritizes hiring vehicles from locals before considering outsiders, it would greatly benefit our community. Many have invested in vehicles specifically to rent them out to projects like this,” Dorji explained.
In response, local leaders are advocating for a formal vehicle hiring policy that gives precedence to residents. One leader proposed, “For example, if three vehicles from Trashiyangtse and Trashigang meet the same specifications, the vehicle from Trashiyangtse should be selected.” This initiative aims to ensure that local businesses and individuals directly benefit from the project’s operational needs.
Khamdang Gup Karma Wangchuk emphasized the necessity for maximizing socio-economic benefits derived from the hydropower initiative. “In the long run, the project will generate revenue for the country, but initially, it should also stimulate the local economy. The people of Trashiyangtse deserve tangible benefits from having this project nearby,” Wangchuk asserted.
He further highlighted the unemployment issues exacerbated by the project’s previous closures. “When the Khorlochu Hydropower Project shut down, over 30 individuals in our gewog lost their jobs. Instead of bringing in new employees, priority should be given to rehiring those who were previously laid off,” he added.
The construction phase of the project has the potential to create numerous market opportunities for locals, particularly in selling agricultural produce. Toetsho Gup Dechen Wangdi called on authorities to establish a system that supplies local vegetables to project workers. “We have observed that workers are purchasing from Indian vendors rather than our local farmers,” Wangdi remarked. “Coordinated efforts are essential to ensure that the demand from the project is met by our local agricultural producers as much as possible.”
Compensation Concerns
Beyond employment and economic opportunities, residents have raised serious concerns regarding outdated compensation rates for land and property acquisitions. Sangay, a 59-year-old villager from Burbula, reported that seven households near his land have yet to receive compensation for land taken for road construction. “It has been over five years, and we are still waiting for compensation and replacement land,” Sangay lamented. “Neither the project nor the dzongkhag has compensated us for the destruction of our fruit trees during the highway expansion.”
Similarly, Nyingkula, a 40-year-old resident, echoed these frustrations. “Our irrigation channels and agricultural land were damaged during construction,” he said. “We have requested the Department of Surface Transport to restore the irrigation channels, but our pleas have gone unanswered.”
Nyingkula also pointed out that current compensation rates do not reflect the true value of the land, which is subject to land tax. “We are paying taxes on our land, yet we have not received fair compensation for its acquisition for road construction. This has been a persistent issue for affected families,” he noted.
Local residents are hopeful that future phases of the project will implement comprehensive livelihood support programs for those affected. Sangay Wangchuk from Tongzhang suggested, “If a resident loses land, their family members should be given priority for employment within the project. While financial compensation is provided, it does not replace the value of owning land.”
Infrastructure Development and Coordination Issues
Residents have also highlighted a lack of coordination between local development initiatives and the hydropower project. While acknowledging the project’s contributions to building essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals, local leaders argue that there is no systematic framework to address community-specific needs.
Tongzhang Gup Ugyen Dorji pointed out that among the eight gewogs in Trashiyangtse, Tongzhang and Khamdang are the most affected by the Khorlochu Hydropower Project. “Instead of benefiting from the project, my people are experiencing significant disruptions,” Dorji stated. “All planning and development activities have been put on hold as we await the project’s progress. While other gewogs are getting their roads blacktopped for the second time, our community continues to suffer from poor road conditions.”
The prolonged construction phase has left many residents frustrated and uncertain about the project’s timeline. In Doksum town, where new houses have been built to accommodate project workers, fears are mounting that these homes will become vacant once the project concludes. “The project should provide lasting benefits by offering rental opportunities for these houses in the future,” suggested Sangay, a local homeowner.
Looking Ahead
As the Khorlochu Hydropower Project moves forward, the demands from Trashiyangtse residents underscore the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to development. Local leaders are calling on project authorities and government officials to address these concerns promptly, ensuring that the socio-economic benefits promised are fully realized by the community.
“The people of Trashiyangtse have invested their hopes in this project,” Karma Wangchuk emphasized. “It is essential that we see real, tangible benefits that improve our livelihoods and sustain our community for generations to come.”
Efforts to enhance local engagement and provide fair compensation are critical to fostering a harmonious relationship between the hydropower project and the residents of Trashiyangtse. As negotiations continue, the eyes of the community remain fixed on achieving a balance between national development and local prosperity.
