The frequent roadblocks at Aieslip in Sarpang every year still remains a concern for residents and travellers. Every time it rains, the road at Aieslip gets blocked due to landslides, leaving vehicles stranded for hours or sometimes even days. But people say this problem can be addressed if a bridge is constructed just beside the landslide-prone area.
Every day, hundreds of vehicles commute along the Gelegphu-Trongsa highway. But whenever there is a heavy shower, the road at Aieslip, which is around eight kilometres away from Gelegphu town, becomes more difficult and dangerous to pass.
Regular commuters are of the view that if a bridge is constructed over the Mao River, people can bypass this part of the road.
They say a new bridge could solve the decade-long roadblock issue.
“There are roadblocks here every year. We feel that a bridge here would make it convenient for us travellers,” says Ugyen Tashi, a resident of Serzhong.
Meanwhile, the officials from the Department of Roads say constructing a bridge is not possible since the soil is very weak and unstable. Moreover, they say there is already a bridge just two kilometres away.
However, the office has plans to construct ten-meter high concrete dams which will prevent landslides in the area. A detailed study was done recently. Sonam Tashi, the Chief Engineer of the DoR office in Sarpang says the best option is to build a checks dam to mitigate landslides rather than construct a bridge.
At least four dams will be constructed that will cost around Nu 30 M. But the office says they can start the works only in the next financial year since they do not have the budget now.
Every year, the DoR spends around Nu 2 M to clear roadblocks at Aieslip.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
