With the increase in the marginal propensity to spend by the Bhutanese population (especially by the middle class segment) supplemented by the phenomenon of Global consumerism (more buying options for products and services available in the market), the transport sector is Bhutan is likely to take a severe brunt.
Of all the places in Bhutan, it seems only tenable that Thimphu is going to be severely hit, if not now, in the very near future.
For example, there are 22,218 vehicles in Thimphu alone (out of which 14,272 are light vehicles)(http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11030) with a total of 395.4 kms of motorable road (MoWHS' Annual Information Bulletin 2006). Out of this total, Thimphu has 111 kms of national highway, 90.2 kms of feeder roads, 71.4 kms of urban roads, 18.9 kms of farm roads and 103.9 kms of forest roads.
Assuming that all or most of these vehicles are concentrated in the urban areas, this translates into 1 vehicle for every 3 meters of urban roads. Literally, this means that if the total number of vehicles in Thimphu are lined up on the road (in urban areas), they would be lined up bumper to bumper. (wouldn't it be quite a sight!!!).
Think of it!!
I'm pretty sure that the growth in the road length falls far short (or rather pales) in comparison to the growth in vehicle imports each year. What this is going to do to the traffic on our roads is anyone's guess.
The drain on the economy in terms of foreign currency outflow for purchase of vehicles is one thing but the more pressing issue is the long term leakage from the economy arising from fuel imports. Last year we, imported close to Nu. 2.6 billion in fuel (about 5% of the GDP). This is only going to increase with more and more cars/vehicles being imported into the country (fuelled by cheaper cars, increased competition amongst the car manufacturers, increase in the marginal propensity to spend, etc)
How do we combat this major threat? Is a sound surface transport master-plan going to address this? Will the introduction of a better/more/convenient public transportation service/system address this?
Let's mull over this.
Of all the places in Bhutan, it seems only tenable that Thimphu is going to be severely hit, if not now, in the very near future.
For example, there are 22,218 vehicles in Thimphu alone (out of which 14,272 are light vehicles)(http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11030) with a total of 395.4 kms of motorable road (MoWHS' Annual Information Bulletin 2006). Out of this total, Thimphu has 111 kms of national highway, 90.2 kms of feeder roads, 71.4 kms of urban roads, 18.9 kms of farm roads and 103.9 kms of forest roads.
Assuming that all or most of these vehicles are concentrated in the urban areas, this translates into 1 vehicle for every 3 meters of urban roads. Literally, this means that if the total number of vehicles in Thimphu are lined up on the road (in urban areas), they would be lined up bumper to bumper. (wouldn't it be quite a sight!!!).
Think of it!!
I'm pretty sure that the growth in the road length falls far short (or rather pales) in comparison to the growth in vehicle imports each year. What this is going to do to the traffic on our roads is anyone's guess.
The drain on the economy in terms of foreign currency outflow for purchase of vehicles is one thing but the more pressing issue is the long term leakage from the economy arising from fuel imports. Last year we, imported close to Nu. 2.6 billion in fuel (about 5% of the GDP). This is only going to increase with more and more cars/vehicles being imported into the country (fuelled by cheaper cars, increased competition amongst the car manufacturers, increase in the marginal propensity to spend, etc)
How do we combat this major threat? Is a sound surface transport master-plan going to address this? Will the introduction of a better/more/convenient public transportation service/system address this?
Let's mull over this.
