The four-lane road between Chhubachhu and Jungzhina in Thimphu is yet to be fully ready. However, it has already been opened to the public with hundreds of vehicles driving through it every day. The almost complete stretch has become deadly, with speeding vehicles and sudden appearances of pedestrians crossing the road.
In the last two months, there were six motor vehicle accidents along the stretch with one resulting in the death of an 80-year-old woman.
The three-kilometre stretch, which was due for completion about three months ago in October, is still being worked on. Although the road itself is finished, amenities such as footpaths and drains are under construction.
The spacious road can be tempting especially for thrill-seekers. And oftentimes, despite the risks, people also tend to break the rules such as suddenly changing lanes.
“The government constructed a very comfortable road for us but there are no signboards that direct us on whether we can make turns or not,” said a Thimphu Resident, Phuntsho Wangdi. “So, people make turns carelessly from wherever they like. There are very high risks of accidents.”
“The road has become very comfortable but there are neither dividers nor any kind of sign which could direct the drivers while they turn,” said another.
According to them, drivers are not aware of whether they are allowed to make U-turns or not. And this ends disastrously when vehicles turn out of nowhere.
In light of the increasing number of accidents, the traffic police say they are “making round-the-clock inspections” along the stretch.
Meanwhile, the Thimphu Thromde says they will not install any dividers on the highway, although they are considering adding CCTV cameras to monitor vehicle speed and traffic offences. They added that speed-limit signs and speed breakers will be put soon. Meanwhile, they did not comment on when the road will be fully ready.
Pema Seldon Tshering/Kinley Dem
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
