The road widening and blacktopping works between Tshelingor and Khothakpa in Pema Gatshel never seem to stop bothering the commuters. During winter, people complain about the dust pollution and today, due to heavy rainfall, the stretch between Bainangzor and Khothakpa has become risky for travellers. Vehicles often cannot cross the four-kilometre stretch due to its bad condition.
The road between Bainangzor and Khothakpa becomes muddy and slippery when it rains. According to the truckers, the bad road condition poses risks.
“My truck nearly fell off the road. We face a lot of difficulties while travelling along this road. The road had damaged the tyre and we have to pay Nu 46,000 to buy tyres. We can travel smoothly if there is a proper base course,” said Dawa Tshering, a trucker.
“We don’t expect a smooth road but we are hoping that they at least level the road,” said Langa Tshering, another trucker.
According to the officials from the Department of Roads, the laying of the base course was completed at the beginning of the year and the road was ready for pavement.
However, the incessant rainfall and landslides damaged the road. The contractor who is carrying out the widening and blacktopping works along the highway also carried out some restoration works on Tuesday.
“As it is monsoon, the road gets damaged easily even though we have asked the contractor to carry out maintenance,” said Wangdi, Project Manager of the Department of Roads.
Meanwhile, he added that the increasing number of heavy vehicles travelling along the road is causing the damages.
The Tshelingor-Khothakpa highway widening project started in mid-2020 and is expected to be complete by the beginning of next year.
The works were scheduled to be complete by this year but the pandemic and heavy rainfall during summer hampered the work progress.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tshering Zam
