The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in various developmental activities in the country. In Thimphu, reconstruction of the Chubachhu-Kawajangsa-Motithang footpath that would normally have been finished in a few months still remains incomplete even after almost a year and a half. This has caused inconveniences to hundreds of pedestrians who frequently use the route.
A trench was dug up over the footpath at Chubachu in February last year. The Thromde says they will place electric cables inside the trench for public safety, cover it up and then construct a footpath over it. This should have been completed by October last year had it not been for the COVID outbreak and the subsequent lockdowns.
More than a year on and the works still remain incomplete.
“We used to take this path while heading to Mothitang and Kawajangsa. It used to be very convenient. But today we can’t use this path. We have to use the main road. Since there is no proper footpath along the main road, it’s inconvenient for the pedestrians. We don’t know when this work will be complete,” said Sherub Chophel in Thimphu.
“It’s been more than a year. Since it is under construction, we don’t use the footpath. We are using the motor road and since the road is also under construction, we have to walk in the dust. Yes, it is okay for us to walk along the road but some children also have to take this route, so it’s very inconvenient for them. There are high chances of them getting into accidents,” added Lhamo, a resident of Thimphu.
Meanwhile, the Thromde says they are hopeful of completing the works by the end of July.
In the past, it was very risky for pedestrians to walk along the stretch. The footpath was near the stream and it was dangerous. So, it was in our plan to reconstruct the footpath and to also have a proper cable dug under the footpath. However, just after the works began, we had the COVID-19 outbreak, and things didn’t go as planned,” said Yeshi Wangdi, the Chief Engineer of Thimphu Thromde.
The one-kilometre footpath is frequented by hundreds of pedestrians from Kawajangsa, Motithang, and Chubachhu every day.
Pema Seldon Tshering
