Access to farm roads has benefitted farmers in marketing agricultural produce, thereby enhancing the quality of life in rural areas. But a farm road in Trong village in Zhemgang has remained underutilised due to its poor condition. Constructed about 15 years ago, the farm road is in dire need of maintenance.
Most stretches of the four-kilometre farm road are covered with bushes. The farm road looks more like a walking trail today.
“The farm road has been constructed. But during summer, debris from heavy rain gets collected on the road. And it has been left without maintenance since then. Thus, it has remained underutilised,” said Thinley Dorji, a resident of Trong village.
“I remember a survey was carried out a few years ago. But we were told that due to budgetary constraints, the restoration works could not begin and it’s been nearly 15 years now,” said Ugyen Dorji, a resident of Tingbi Pam.
“At first, the farm road was planned to be constructed via the fields. But the landowners disagreed. And another issue is the Mangdechhu Project’s power line tower. The project’s access road has destroyed our farm road. And they haven’t maintained the road,” said
However, the farm road will be maintained within this fiscal year. The farmers are currently carrying out clearing works for road maintenance.
“We have allocated a budget for the farm road maintenance. As per the farm road guidelines, we have planned to lay the granular sub-base on the farm road. And we are planning to hand over the road to the people after forming a committee,” said Dhangkhar-Trong Tshogpa, Norbu.
The farm road was constructed to encourage farmers of Trong and Tingbi Pam villages to enhance rice production in the district.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam Pem
