It will take some more time before the commuters along the Dewathang-Samdrupcholing highway in Samdrup Jongkhar can enjoy a smooth ride. The blacktopping of the 48-kilometre highway got delayed once again. This time, it is the monsoon that hindered the work progress. The works were supposed to be complete by May but the contractors could not blacktop due to heavy rainfall.
The Department of Roads office in Samdrup Jongkhar has asked the contractors to halt the blacktopping works until the monsoon is over as rain affects the quality of the work.
The blacktopping was supposed to be complete by the end of last year. But due to the pandemic, the contract was extended till May this year. Two contractors have blacktopped 16 kilometres till May. But landslides have washed away blacktops on some stretches and caused damages worth about Nu 7 M.
The commuters also say that the delay in blacktopping works and heavy rainfall have further worsened the road condition.
“I have to travel this road once or twice a month. And the road is in bad condition. We have to spend a lot on vehicle maintenance,” said Bumpa Wangdi, a resident.
“When the road is in bad condition, we have to increase hiring charges for the vehicles which is not fair for the public. If the road is good, the fare will be less. What we want is a good road,” said Arjun Rai, another resident.
According to the Department of Roads, the contractors will have to resume work by next month and complete it within two months.
The construction of drains, widening works and blacktopping began in 2020. It is estimated to cost over Nu 220 M.
Once complete, the road will benefit more than 10,000 people of four gewogs in Samdrupcholing Dungkhag.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
