February 9: Housing shortage has become a major problem in Samdrupjongkhar over the past few years. Residents say the problem became serious after the Dzongkhag Administration prohibited illegal hutments few years back. Finding

a house is extremely difficult in Samdrupjongkhar town where the problem of housing shortage has become acute over the years.

Our reporter Tenzin Dorji says some people are putting up with their relatives. With all the private apartments occupied, the only option they have is to wait for the construction of the living quarters for the low-income group to be complete. The construction is being initiated by National Housing Development Corporation with funds from the government of India.

The completion of the nine buildings with 54 units is expected to ease housing crunch to some extent.

The Dzongkhag Administration office has received more than 200 applicants. But the building can accommodate only 54 families.

The Dzongkhag Administration Officer said the allocation will be done on lucky dip system. The housing complex is expected to be ready by early march this year.