After enduring more than seven years of travel on a bumpy, pothole-ridden road, residents of Bumdeling Gewog in Trashi Yangtse are finally set to receive a fully blacktopped road. The Department of Surface Transport is carrying out maintenance and blacktopping works, scheduled for completion within six months.
The gewog road was first blacktopped during the 2017–2018 financial year.
However, harsh weather conditions caused the surface to deteriorate over time. Potholes developed, making travel especially difficult during the monsoon season.
Much to the relief of residents, maintenance works are now underway. Of the eight-kilometre stretch, half will be completed in the first phase by Wednesday.
Although the first phase was initially scheduled for completion by September, maintenance works on the Tsharzam Bridge delayed progress.
Work on the remaining section has already begun and is expected to be completed by June next year.
Residents say they are already benefiting from the improved road and have expressed excitement over the newly blacktopped section.
Kelzang Namgay, a resident said, “During the monsoon season, we receive rainfall most of the time. Because of this, the road often gets damaged and is frequently blocked. With this road improvement and the blacktopped road will definitely benefit our people, especially the farmers in this area. “
“At present, drivers charge about 150 ngultrum. I hope the fares will be reduced once the road is blacktopped. Currently, drivers charge higher rates due to the poor road conditions and to cover vehicle damage. After blacktopping, I hope the charges will be lower than the current rates,” said another resident Samten Dorji.
The road improvement will benefit more than 400 households, including workers involved in the Rigsum Gonpa project.
The Department of Surface Transport is executing the project at a cost of over 41 million ngultrum. It is funded by the Government of India.
The department will also carry out resurfacing works along the entire stretch of the Khamdang Gewog road.