Improved Sergithang- Burichhu bypass in Tsirang has not only shortened the travel time for motorists but it is expected to enhance agricultural production. This is because the Dzongkhag Administration has recently improved the road with laying of Granular Sub-Base (GSB). Until this year, the road was bumpy and not pliable for light vehicles during summer.
Today, the 9.4-kilometre road is seen with proper drainage and in better condition compared to last year. The improvement works started in October last year.
With a better road condition, it is expected to improve the livelihoods of rural communities.
“This bypass benefits five gewogs. And Sergithang Gewog is directly benefitted since the gewog is one of the leading farming gewogs in the district. Therefore, with the improved road, farmers will benefit from marketing their farm produces,” said Man Bir Rai, the Gup of Sergithang Gewog.
“In the past, during monsoon light vehicles hardly travel through this bypass but now it won’t be a problem for the light vehicles. The farmers of five chiwogs of Sergithang Gewog are benefitted. Earlier, we had to travel via Damphu while travelling towards Thimphu but now we can travel from this road,” said Phurba, the Tshogpa of Sergithang Toed chiwog.
“At the moment, the road condition is better but it may get damaged during summer. Earlier, it used to take at least an hour to reach Burichhu from Sergithang but now we can reach within 25 minutes,” said Suk Bdr. Rai, a resident.
The travel time is also shortened while travelling towards Thimphu from Sergithang.
The government invested over Nu 11 M for road improvement works. It was funded by the European Union.
“The funding was done particularly to uplift the economic welfare of people during the pandemic. To take agricultural and livestock products, people have to travel through Damphu then to Wangdue Phodrang which is taking the time and there is wastage of fuel and manpower. With this road, something like 20 kilometres is cut short now,” said Tsirang Dzongdag, Pema.
The Dzongkhag Administration is hopeful that the road will be blacktopped in the next few years. The road was constructed in 2016.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
