The roadblock at Bongburi along the Pema Gatshel-Nganglam highway is now open to traffic. The stretch of the road located about 60 kilometers away from Pema Gatshel remained closed for a month after the base was completely washed away in August.
“This is one of the main roads in the eastern dzongkhag. Vehicles transport cement and gypsum between Nganglam and Pema Gatshel. So, to minimise the impact on the economy due to the roadblock, we started working early morning and until late in the evening to clear the road for traffic and could complete it before time,” said Wangdi, the Executive Engineer with Department of Roads office in Samdrup Jongkhar.
However, the roads department cautions the commuters to be careful along the stretch as they are yet to construct a gabion wall near the waterfall. A pond formed by the waterfall washed away a portion of the road last month.
“We have to construct a wall with a height of 90 meters. It will be completed by next month. We have procured almost all the materials and also have the labourers ready. So, we are supposed to complete the restoration of the 10 kilometre of the road by next month by all means,” said the Executive Engineer.
Hume pipes are installed at the base of the road to drain the water from the pond. The road department in Samdrup Jongkhar is carrying out the restoration work at a cost of Nu 10 M.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
