The Rafey-Khoshala bypass in Langthel Gewog of Trongsa is now open to traffic from today. The Works and Human Settlement Minister Dorji Tshering inaugurated the 16.7-kilometre bypass on the Trongsa-Gelegphu highway.
With the opening of the bypass, the travel time Trongsa and Gelegphu would be cut short by more than an hour and the commuters will not have to take the present route via Langthil town.
“Since the bypass stretches through the villages, the farmers will be immensely benefited in terms of marketing their farm produce,” Lyonpo Dorji Tshering said.
The construction of the bypass began in 2012. The Department of Roads carried out the construction works with financial support from the Government of India. The officials say the work progress was challenged by rocky and stiff cliffs. Also, the construction of two bridges Yurmung and Dangdung bridges along the bypass hindered the progress and escalating the cost.
“Since there is no survey data in the span of the bypass, we had no concrete basis for rock formation cutting and we had to estimate and carry out the works. Later this has led to an increase in the contract price. Similarly, there had been some issues with regard to foundation and height of the Yurmung Bridge further delaying the construction,” Tenzin, the Director-General of Works and Human Settlement, said.
The bypass was constructed at a cost of Nu 709.9 M.
Passang
