The recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu meeting in Zhemgang rejected the proposed realignment of Gewog Centre road in Shingkhar, which is under construction. The gewog wanted to realign the road, saying that present route will not benefit the villages of Thrisa and Wamling.
The gewog leaders in the meeting said the 17 kilometer Gewog Centre road passes through a rugged terrain. They also said although the planned road is straight to the Gewog Centre, the cost of building the road may be cheaper if constructed through the village.
“As per the survey, it is 17 kilometres. And if we have to realign the road, it will come to 25 kilometres. It will cost us an additional Nu.25 million. We have discussed our observations in the meeting,” said Zhemgang’s Dzongkhag Engineer, Kintu.
The Shingkhar Gup, Needup, said if the road is built through Thrisa and Wamling villages, it would benefit the two villages in the long run. However, he said, it may take time. “Since the present road passes through a rocky cliff, it would not reach the Gewog Centre if we follow the rules and regulation and the wetland in Thrisa will also be affected. So we requested for realignment. But even after third appeal by the gewog, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu rejected our proposal.”
Shingkhar Gewog Mangmi, Sonam Dargay, said about two kilometres of the Shingkhar Gewog Centre road has been constructed. “Looking at the terrain, it is going to take time. I think it will take about one and a half year to complete the road.”
Of the eight gewogs, Shingkhar and Bardo are the only ones without a farm road. “If government provides the budget, we hope to achieve our plans,” said Bardo Gup, Kinzang Jurmey.
The two-day Dzongkhag Tshogdu meeting ended yesterday.
