The Gelephu Thromde’s four-lane road plan will finally see the light of the day. The plan was deferred due to budget constraints in the 11th plan. Covering 3.5 kilometres, from the border gate to Shetikhari bridge, the thromde plans to construct cycle tracks and footpath along the proposed four-lane road.
To start the work, the Thromde has asked the Bhutan Power Corporation to realign its electric poles. The Thrompon said the thromde will bear the cost as per the existing regulations to shift the poles.
According to Gelephu Thrompon Tshering Norbu, the estimated cost has escalated over the years.
“In the 11th plan, the estimated cost was more than Nu 300 M but now it comes to about Nu 600 M. As endorsed in the 2nd Thromde Tshogde, the Boulevard construction would be carried out phase-wise,” he said.
In the first phase, over 500 metres of the stretch from Kuenga Chholeling hotel to the Royal Guesthouse will be covered.
“We have to construct walls and fill up the land. Likewise, the present water system needs to be addressed. The existing power lines along the road will also be relocated. For all these, we require about Nu 30 M,” said Sangay Khandu, the Thromde Engineer.
The Thromde plans to align all service wires through a common service underground duct which will run alongside the road.
The developmental work is expected to make the road safer for everyone. Today, hundreds of vehicles hit the road every day in Gelephu and without a proper footpath for pedestrians, they risk getting hit by vehicles.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sonam
