Poor road condition is a familiar and persistent issue in most urban areas in the country. And Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde is no exception. Some of the busiest roads in Bar and Toed constituencies within the Thromde are in desperate need of renovation.
The almost two-kilometre stretch in Toed constituency under Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde, is one of the most used roads by the residents as it leads to the regional trade office and the district administration.
But it is in a pitiable condition, riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces. Another two-kilometre road in Bar constituency also copes with heavy traffic daily for it leads to the hospital, State Mining Corporation Limited (SMCL) and National Housing Development Corporation.
But the stretch is also in a worn-out condition, filled with potholes. Motorists and residents alike say everyday travel along these roads is a nightmarish experience.
“All the roads are in very bad condition. Whether you go to the hospital, Dzong or to exchange gas, you come across potholes. We would be grateful if the roads are repaired. Currently, the poor road poses risks to all the commuters,” tells one of the taxi drivers in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde, Wangpo.
Some others also share the plight of travelling along the bad roads.
“With many potholes, our vehicles encounter breakdowns. If they blacktop the road, we would be extremely grateful and happy. The road causes dust pollution which is unwelcoming for both motorists and pedestrians,” says another taxi driver, Pema Dorji.
Nonetheless, the road woes are likely to be addressed soon. The Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde office said a contractor has been awarded the contract of resurfacing the road in the toed constituency. The project worth about Nu 11 M is targeted for completion this August.
Concerning the road in the Bar constituency, the thromde has written to the SMCL to rehabilitate it. Every day, trucks of SMCL ferry Gypsum along the route and hence thromde holds them accountable for damaging the road.
The SMCL said they repaired the road as and when required in the past and this time too, they will renovate it.
Meanwhile, only filling-up of potholes will be carried out in some other portions of the road. This is because the construction of the water distribution and sewer lines is going on.
Until then, people in the eastern commercial hub will have to tolerate the bad road condition.
Kinley Wanghuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Pema Lhaden
