The residents of Toewang, Chhubu, and Shelnga-Bjimi Gewogs in Punakha are looking forward to an improved livelihood. This is because the road resurfacing works in the three gewogs is nearing completion. The resurfacing works along the Toewang and Chhubu Gewog centre road already started benefitting the people of the two gewogs.
The residents of these gewogs have waited long to get the road resurfaced.
For now, resurfacing works along the eight-kilometre stretch between Chhubu and Toewang Gewog centres and Khawajara are complete.
Today, besides the gewog residents, the improved stretch of the road benefits the travellers visiting the Chhubu hot spring in Toewang Gewog.
“Earlier, we used to find it difficult to get a taxi from Khuruthang even if we agree to pay extra charges. But things changed for the good after the road condition improved. We can now get a taxi easily even during late hours,” said Drali, a resident of Khawajara.
“It has become quite convenient now. The travel time from here till Khuruthang decreased by half an hour. Earlier, it used to take more than an hour. Getting a vehicle was also difficult until the road condition improved,” said Namgay Peldon, a resident of Samdingkha.
“Due to the improved road condition, the fuel consumption has decreased. Even the vehicles do not get damaged. Likewise, it has also made it easier for the people to take their produce to the market without much hassle,” said Tshering Dorji, a resident of Jibjokha.
The resurfacing works on the remaining 16-kilometre stretch from Khawajara to Khuruthang and from Mendagang to Shelnga-Bjimi are scheduled to be complete by the end of this month.
The project which was supposed to be complete in six months was given a time extension of two months amid the pandemic.
The 25-kilometre road between Khuruthang bridge and three Gewog Centers of Toewang, Chhubu and Shelnga-Bjimi was blacktopped during the previous government’s tenure. The road’s condition started to deteriorate in 2020.
The road is being maintained by spending close to Nu 60 M.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Phub Gyem
