The commuters using the road between Pangri Zampa and Dodena in Thimphu are agitated by the deteriorating conditions. The traffic along the road has increased after the road via Chhangdagang was closed in 2020. This has led to the development of more potholes on the already narrow road.
After the road to Dodena via Chhangdagang was closed to construct the bridge in Boegana, people used the five-kilometre road via Kabisa to reach Dodena. But the condition of the road according to the people is worsening by the day.
“I go to Tango every day. The road is very narrow and when I meet trucks on the way, it gets difficult. Moreover, the road is filled with potholes. We would be grateful if they could repair the road,” said Tashi Choezom, a taxi driver.
“The road between Pangri Zampa and Boegana is all riddled with potholes and even the drains are in bad condition. When it rains, the water fills the road and it becomes difficult for small vehicles to commute. The vehicles also get damaged,” said Jigme Singye, another taxi driver.
“Before, more than half of the cars used the road via Chhangdagang. People say it will take around three years to complete the construction of the bridge. An increasing number of cars will use the road. Since we don’t have parking near our house, we have to park along the road. It has become problematic,” said Tashi Dendup, a resident in Kuzhugchen.
Besides, the people residing along the road are troubled by dust.
“Since the road is near the shop, I tried filling the potholes but I couldn’t. So, whenever a car goes by, the dust fills my shop,” said Tshering Peldon, a shopkeeper in Boegana.
The Gewog Administration said the office will fill the pothole with gravel and soil until the construction of bridges in Boegana and Pangri Zampa is complete.
“After construction of both the bridges is complete, we are going to blacktop the whole stretch. We have discussed this with Dzongkhag Administration and Road Department. We don’t know when the bridge construction will end, but as soon as it’s done, we will pave the road,” said Kawang Gup, Dawa Tshering.
For now, the gewog office along with the Department of Roads and the Dzongkhag Administration have started maintaining the potholes.
While the construction of the bridge in Pangri Zampa will be complete in 2023, the Boegana bridge is expected to be complete by November this year.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sangay Chezom
