The widening of the highway from Ura in Bumthang till Yadi in Monggar is likely to complete by the end of this year. At present, over 72 per cent of the works are complete, according to the Department of Roads (DoR) in Lingmethang.
Several work components, such as formation cutting and construction of base course, drainage system and retention walls between Lingmthang and Yadi in Monggar, have been completed except in a few areas.
With the deadline drawing closer, DoR is speeding up the work.
“Some packages of the work will be complete by this month, while others will be complete by October. So, going by the current work progress, we are expecting to finish everything by December this year,” Karma Rinzin, the Chief Engineer of DoR in Lingmethang, said.
The Chief Engineer also said only small extension works like construction of culvert and retention walls will be carried out between Thrumshingla and Lingmethang.
“Road widening is not feasible along this stretch, especially in Namling area.”
Except for the 12-kilometer stretch between Kurizam and Gangola in Monggar, the rest of the widening work packages could not meet the March deadline.
Contractors were penalized and a few contract packages that failed to meet deadlines despite several extensions were terminated.
The entire East-West widening works, which began towards the end of 2014, is being carried out at a cost of Nu 7bn. The funds are being provided by the Indian government.
