Motorists and residents commuting along the Tshanglajong- Zurphel chiwog farm road in Zhemgang are frustrated with the worsening condition of the road. They say the road has not seen any major maintenance in the last fifteen years. The farm road was constructed in 2001.
Most commuters avoid travelling through this 9.2-kilometre stretch in the fear of damaging their vehicles. Vehicles breaking down on the roadside is a common scene. The deteriorating condition of this bumpy farm road has posed risk to the commuters.
“The bad road condition continues to give problems. The condition worsens during monsoon making it difficult to travel. It would be a great help if the gewog could at least lay the base course, if not blacktop,” said Kezang Wangdi, a resident of Zurphel village.
“It becomes worse in the rainy season with big puddles that end up damaging our vehicles. It would be better if the gewog could help maintain this road which will immensely benefit the people of the two villages,” said Tempa, a resident of Tshanglajong village.
However, the Mangmi of Trong Gewog said major resurfacing would not be possible this time as the gewog has already planned to carry out maintenance on farm roads in other chiwogs. He added that they would propose the budget for major maintenance in the next five-year plan.
The farm road connects the two villages of Zurphel and Tshanglajong with the Gongphu-Panbang highway. The road benefits about 80 households in the two villages in transporting agricultural produce.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam Pem
