The incomplete but much debated and controversial Gomphu-Panbang Highway has benefitted the people of Lower Kheng. Business opportunities have opened up for the people living along the 44 KM highway allowing many shops to sprout. The highway opened to traffic last year.
“We do not have to travel via Assam,” said Bjoka Gup, Tshering Wangchuk.
A Shopkeeper from Panbang, Richen, said they had to walk three to four days. “But now we can we can reach Gomphu or Zhemgang in a few hours.”
The road is also expected to benefit the Eastern and Central Dzongkhags once it connects Pangbang-Nanglam and Nanglam-Gyalpoizhing internal highway.
The Chief Engineer in Tingtibi, Prabat Rai, said the construction of the will be completed in its entirety by 2015. The temporary Bailey bridge over Mangdechhu has helped expedite the progress of the construction.
The initial phase of the construction began in 2007-08. The pace of the project accelerated after the 10 plan was implemented. “There are still so much to be done,” said Prabat Rai.
The cost of Gomphu-Panbang Highway comes up to Nu.1.04 BN and is funded by the Government of India.
